Catholic Church in Sapele endorses Anirah for House of Assembly

By Esada Uyono,

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The Catholic Church in Sapele, Sapele local government area, Delta state, has endorsed Chief Felix Anirah as the church candidate for Delta State House of Assembly, Sapele state constituency.

The endorsement follows the call by Very Rev Fr Chris Ekabo, Chairman of Warri Diocesan Politics Commission, on chief Anirah, Peoples Democratic Party PDP chieftain in Sapele to run for the Delta State House of Assembly, Sapele state constituency.

Father Ekabo made the call in Sapele, noted that the Church have decided to play active role in electing leaders at different levels, promising that if Chief Anirah agrees to run, the church will mobilise resource to buy his nomination form for him.

He added that Christians should take charge and elect leaders who will be responsive and be responsible to the people, stressing that Chief Anirah stand out among the political class, because he is accessible to the people.

According to Rev. Ekabo in a response to our inquiry on the church endorsement of Chief Anirah, had this to say: “I am the Chairman of Warri Diocesan Politics Commission and it my responsibility to charge Catholic Christians to vote and be voted.

“It is a civic responsibility that does not go against our Catholic ethics and ethos. The Catholics from Sapele extraction are too aloof from electives politics. This is why I forcefully asked him to get involve and run for 2019 Delta state House of Assembly.

“In summary I did, am presently out of the country.

Anirah who many political analysts believed won the 2015 House of Assembly election in Sapele, but was rigged out, enjoys large grassroot followers, due to his philanthropic gesture.

However, what is not clear is if the Delta state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the state PDP leadership will key into the mood of the church, since the Catholics commands huge members in Sapele.

Attempt to reach Chief Anirah for his reaction, was unsuccessful as at press time, as calls to his mobile line didn’t connect and SMS sent to him was not replied.