By Chidi Nkwopara & Chinonso Alozie

OWERRI — The gubernatorial debate organized by the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, of  Owerri Catholic Ecclesiastical Province, at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, ended in a fiasco Wednesday.

The JDPC put together the event, as they did during the Ikedi Ohakim era, with a view to giving the gubernatorial candidates the opportunity to address the people.

Before the arrival of a team of Imo State government official, the entire Odenigbo Pavilion of Maria Assumpta Cathedral premises, thousands of enthusiasts were seated and waiting anxiously for the gubernatorial candidates.

However, when the government officials spotted some women spotting black attire, they insisted that the widows must leave the arena.

Although, the Catholic clerics managed to douse this initial protest, another group of boys waved a red card and started shouting “Ka opuo”, meaning “let him go”.

As this was going on, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Best Mbanaso, the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Professor Anthony Anwuka, and the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Uche Nwosu, moved to the stage and confronted the moderator, Rev.  Fr. Innocent Osuagwu, who was standing at the altar region.

The confusion that ensued, thereafter, culminated in the forceful removal of the eye glasses of Rev. Fr. Osuagwu, which was smashed, and this led to the calling off of the event.

Addressing journalists later, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and PDP governorship candidate in the state, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, said thugs hired by Governor Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress, APC, invaded the arena because they were quite aware of what would befall him in the debate.

“They embarrassed, beat and flogged the widows again. They beat up young men and women, Reverend Fathers, destroyed the equipment provided by the church at the consecrated Holy Altar. They desecrated the altar.