The senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress(NDC) in Ebonyi central senatorial zone for the 2027 general election, Professor Ifeanyi Odoh, has warned his critics to stop using the memory of late bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Peter Nworie Chukwu to play politics, mock him and all others who genuinely love the deceased.
Odoh said he still carry the pains of losing the late bishop, warning that some memories are too scared to be dragged into politics.
He was reacting to some reports against him by supporters of his opponents who alleged that he abandoned the bishop in life and death when it mattered most.
He urged the critics to honour the memory of the late bishop with truth, dignity, gratitude, and love rather than bitterness and political manipulation.
Odoh explained that he quietly showed love to the deceased both in time of his ill-health and death as a true Christian and further warned those playing politics with his hurtful demise to desist forthwith.
"I have read the article circulating on social media with a heavy heart. Not because it criticizes me, but because it attempts to use the memory of our dearly departed Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu, as a tool for political attack.
“Some losses never leave you. The passing of Bishop Peter is one of them. To the author of that article, I have only one appeal. Please do not use the memory of our late Bishop to mock those of us who genuinely loved him and who still carry the pain of losing him. Some memories are simply too sacred to be dragged into politics.
“Bishop Peter was much more than a Bishop to me. He was an elder brother, a spiritual father, a trusted friend, and someone I loved and respected deeply. His illness was painful to watch, and his passing left a wound that has never completely healed.
“When the late Bishop became critically ill, I did not think about politics or publicity. My only concern was that someone I loved was fighting for his life. I quietly made a substantial financial contribution towards his treatment at the Abuja hospital because standing with him at that difficult moment was the right thing to do. When God eventually called him home, I was among those who received his remains at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
“These are painful memories that I do not enjoy revisiting because they reopen a chapter of grief that is still very real to me. For the record, I did not deliberately stay away from Bishop Peter's funeral. During that period, I was recovering from a serious ankle strain, which made it impossible for me to attend. My condition was duly communicated to the Church authorities, including the Apostolic Administrator, His Lordship Bishop Obodo, Cardinal Peter Okpaleke, and several priests, long before anyone chose to turn my absence into a political narrative”, he said.
While deeply regretting that he finds the entire conversation deeply unfortunate, Odoh said some people seem to believe that love is measured only by attendance at a funeral.
"I do not. To me, love is measured by who stands beside you when you are alive, when you are sick, when you are in pain, and when you need help the most. I have never lived my life seeking applause. I have never believed in eye service. I do not help people because I want headlines or social media recognition. Whatever little God has enabled me to do has always been done quietly because genuine kindness does not require an audience.
“So I ask every honest person a simple question. Which demonstrates deeper gratitude? Standing faithfully with someone while he is fighting for his life and offering practical support when he needs it most, or judging a lifetime of friendship solely by attendance at a funeral, especially when there were genuine reasons for the absence? I leave that question to the conscience of every fair minded person", he concluded.
“While reflecting on his journey and support to the Catholic Church as the basic foundation that nurtured him, Odoh said "the Catholic faith is not something I embraced because of politics. It is the faith that has shaped my life from childhood. It has guided my values, my service, and my understanding of what it means to love God by serving humanity.
“By the grace of God, I have quietly supported many Catholic parishes over the years. I have assisted priests, religious, seminarians, Reverend Sisters, students, widows, and families without seeking recognition.
“ I have had the privilege of sponsoring the complete formation of a Catholic priest. I have also invested significantly in the building of the Catholic University at Umuoghara because I believe that strengthening Catholic education is an investment in the future of our people", he added.
“Further according to him, "I mention these things today only because I have been accused of not valuing the Church. Otherwise, I would have remained silent, as I always have. Many priests, many parishes, and many Catholic faithful know the truth. They know that my relationship with the Church has never depended on elections or political seasons. It has been a lifelong commitment inspired by my faith in God.
“The Church teaches us that charity is not a performance. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us not to sound a trumpet before our good works. That principle has always guided my life.
“It is therefore painful that anyone would judge a lifetime of quiet commitment to the Church by a single event while ignoring years of service, sacrifice, and support. Those who measure gratitude only by public appearances misunderstand both friendship and the Gospel.
“Some people carry flowers to funerals. Others carry burdens while their loved ones are still alive. I chose the latter, and I have no regrets.
“I will not allow the sacred memory of Bishop Peter Nworie Chukwu to become another casualty of partisan politics. He deserves better. The Catholic Church deserves better. Ebonyi deserves better. Politics will come and go. Truth will remain.
“May the gentle soul of our beloved Bishop continue to rest in perfect peace, and may God grant all of us the wisdom to honour his memory with truth, dignity, gratitude, and love rather than bitterness and political manipulation", he concluded.
In a related development, the NDC senatorial candidate for the Ebonyi central senatorial zone, Professor Benard Odoh has been described as a man of focused vision that would deliver a superb legislative performance if elected in the January 16th 2027 National Assembly elections.
His spokesperson, Charles Otu who described him as the best rallying point for his Ezza nation both in their political now and in the future stated this while fielding questions during a live phone-in radio programme on Legacy FM, 95.1, Abakaliki's INSIDE POLITICS anchored by the station's General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere.
Responding to questions on why Odoh chose to run again in 2027 and his choices amidst claims of past failures, Otu said those who describe Odoh as the Peter Obi of Ebonyi State are absolutely spot on because "Odoh is about the only politician in the country that did not only resign from office (as SSG to Ebonyi State Government) on grounds of principles and differences in policy matters but also personally invited the EFCC and ICPC to come and investigate him. Auditors audited him about 32 times and there was nothing found on him. So, such a character is not easy to come by!".
According to him, "It is not correct that Odoh is always contesting and losing elections in the past. In 2014 when some of us came in contact with Odoh, he ran for Senate and it was clear he won that election even as a first timer in politics but for obvious reasons he was then compensated with the position of SSG by the Umahi administration.
He said when Odoh also ran for the APC primary ticket in 2019, he came the first runner up and was defeated by a small margin by an incumbent Senator, Sonni Ogbuoji.
"In that Governorship primaries that held in Pinnacle Hotel on the 1st of October, 2018, there were big money spenders who have been in politics but Odoh presented his focused vision to the delegates and he won votes from Ebonyi South because of his impeccable pedigree.
Even in the last Governorship election, you are aware that despite being declared wanted, hunted and hounded out of the State for two weeks before the election, he still won landslide in his strongholds including the Abakaliki Urban capital.
It is not Odoh just running in 2027. His people of Ezza Ezekuna nation are solidly behind him, including the elites", he stated.
While dismissing claims of quality legislative performance by his opponent and incumbent Senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial zone, Engr. Senator Ken Eze, Otu said the lawmaker's impact has not been felt as he has remained 'unreachable' to the stakeholders and the common man. He also took a swipe at one of his opponents over allegations that he is always in the habit of warning his constituents each time they visit his large compound; "Don't march my flowers".
Otu said he may need to return home to pay more attention to the ornamental beauty he appears to place more regard for than the constituents themselves.
