The Benue State Government on Thursday denied any rift between it and the Gboko Diocese of the Catholic Church following an incident that took place during the 64th birthday of the Former Governor of Benue State Senator George Akume in Wannune Tarka Local Government.
In a statement on the incident and made available to journalists, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Terver Akase, stated that Governor Samuel Ortom understands and respects the decision of Gboko Catholic Diocese not to allow politicians to speak during masses, pointing out that his boss did not feel slighted when the Priest in Charge of the Wannune Parish stopped him from speaking during the mass in accordance with the decision of the Diocese.
We urge those amplifying the incident and making inflammatory statements for political reasons to sheathe their swords.
"Governor Ortom is a God-fearing leader who submits himself to Christian authorities and has enormous regard for the Catholic Church in particular. He won't allow the cordial relationship he has built with the church over the years to be jeopardized",Akase said.
The governor's statement is coming on the heels of an embarrassment,were he was bared by the church from making a speech in the cause of the thanks giving mass .
According to a source Reverend Father. Titus Ashwe of Saint Christopher Parish Wannune had stop the governor from speaking during the mass service even as he asked the governor to reserves his comment for the reception ground.
"When the Governor took the microphone and started with greetings, the Parish Priest quickly came from behind and announced that he was not allowed to speak.
Ortom who was as surprised as the congregation, asked the priest what he said and he repeated that the Governor was not allowed to speak in the church following the ban by the diocese for such.
The Governor handed the microphone to the priest and went back to his seat. This was followed by an immediate uproar from the congregation most of whom obviously disapproved of the remark.
But Senator Akume condemned the ban, pointing out that the Governor as Chief Executive of the state has the right to speak with his people even in the church as it has been the case with other governors of the state.
Another source said that the main issue why the church refuse the governor to speak was due to cries from parishioners who lamented on the inability of the governor to pay state and local government worker eight and twelve month salaries and pensioner fifteen months .
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