Adoration Ground tragedy: Oritsejafor, S-East CAN disagree on probe

National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday, urged the Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi to investigate the stampede that claimed the lives of 28 Nigerians during a crusade last Friday at Uke, in Idemili Local Government Area of the state. However, South East zone of CAN, disagreed with Oritsejafor saying that the Federal Government was better placed to set up a panel of inquiry over the issue saying that Obi cannot be a judge in his own case. CAN in the zone also banned political campaigns in churches across the area. Chairman of CAN in South East and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, Enugu, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, who made this known in an interview in Enugu, said the group is becoming worried about how politicians come into churches to campaign, a development he described as a menace. The Bishop spoke as the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Anambra State also described Governor Obi’s promise to set up an investigative panel into the issue as deceptive. *The Adoration Ground after the stampede. *The Adoration Ground after the stampede. Oristejafor asks Gov Obi to set up probe panel Pastor Oritsejafor who reacted to the controversy surrounding the Uke episode said the news brought sour taste in the month especially as the Nigerian Church was grappling with many security challenges. His words: “It is indeed a sorry situation and I am deeply touched by the news. I really sympathise with those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy and pray God to comfort them.” According to him, details of what transpired at the vigil were still sketchy, even as the conflicting reports by politicians were meant to use the ugly incident to canvas for votes. Oritsejafor maintained that the only way to avoid a repeat of such occurrence was to fish out the culprits and deal with them decisively to appease those who lost their loved ones in the stampede. But in his own reaction, Bishop Chukwuma said: “It is my own duty as CAN chairman, South East to ban all politicians from attending our churches with their teams for campaigns. The church should also steer clear of partisan politics because there are different kinds of people in the church that belong to different political parties. Church and party manifestos ”So it is wrong to come into the church and begin to talk about manifestos. It is not going to be acceptable any more because it causes commotion and disrespect for one another. ”We appeal to bishops, priests, pastors and clergymen to please avoid politicians coming to use churches as campaign arena. This does not augur well for our spiritual growth. ”We therefore urge the Federal Government to set up a probe panel to find out what actually happened because we feel very much worried. Since the state government is involved, I think there should be a neutral body for the investigation.” APGA Chairman, Umeh calls for Ngige’s arrest However, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, has called for the immediate arrest of the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, Senator Chris Ngige for allegedly masterminding the stampede at the Ebube Muonso Adoration Ministry at Uke. A statement by James Eze, the media aide to the APGA governorship candidate, Chief Willie Obiano quoted Umeh as saying that Ngige was behind the crises. Ngige, Obiano suspend campaign This was even as both the APC and Ngige Campaign Organisation suspend campaign, fly party flag at half mast for victims. The APC and the Chris Ngige campaign organization headed by Chief George Morghalu yesterday, suspended electioneering campaigns for the APC candidate, Senator Ngige to attend a solemn prayer for the victims of the tragedy at Uke worship centre, yesterday. Speaking on the occasion, Moghalu said: “It is very unfortunate that about 28 innocent souls had to lose their lives for no just cause. These were people who went to the house of God to seek the face of God. Why must Governor Peter Obi go to Uke to campaign for his APGA candidate when he should have been there to atone for the sins of his government. Moghalu further stated that the statement credited to the Anambra State Government that the stampede was caused by Senator Ngige “should be regarded as a tissue of lies.’’ He said that Ngige did not visit the Adoration centre two days earlier as alleged by Obi’s supporters. Culled from Vanguard Newspaper