OWERRI—The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony Obinna, has cautioned Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to stop running the state as his private estate.

He said the state’s internally generated revenues and federal allocations were people’s commonwealth and not personal assets.

The Archbishop’s admonition was contained in his sermon preached during a Concelebrated Pontifical sung mass at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, which was also attended by Governor Okorocha, his wife and members of the expanded state executive council.

“Federal allocations to Imo State, as well as internally generated revenues belong to the people of the state and not personal income of the Governor, which he can use the way he likes,” Archbishop Obinna said.

He urged the governor not only to run an inclusive government but also carry the people along.

Archbishop Obinna said: “The people of Imo State had hoped that your administration would be an inclusive one but so far, that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Obinna was particularly irked by Okorocha’s seeming refusal or reluctance to support mission schools in the state and advised him to borrow a leaf from the neighbouring Anambra State, where Governor Peter Obi had been supporting public and private schools and hospitals.

“If you go to the mission hospital at Ihiala, Anambra State, you will not believe your eyes. It has been so transformed that you will not recognize it.

“The same is also true of Uli Girls Secondary School. But here in Imo State, the governor has so far refused to give attention to our schools and hospitals,” the Archbishop said.

He reminded public office holders to be conscious of the fact that leadership was not an end in itself but service to the citizenry.
“Governors should see themselves as temporary servants. They should give glory to God for the opportunity and joy to mankind,” the cleric admonished.

Taking a critical look at the gubernatorial poll in Anambra State, Archbishop Obinna decried what he termed “the level of desperation” among politicians, seeking to become governors in Nigeria.

According to him, “it is very nauseating each time we watch politicians in their desperate and miserable struggle to acquire power and money, forgetting that we are only pilgrims on earth.

“This desperation will play out in Imo State in 2015, especially as the signal is already in the air.”