UKE  STAMPEDE:  THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY...
                                                                                by   Felix Ikechukwu Odibe
I had so much resisted the temptation of  writing on the Uke stamped, at least, until I heard from the horse's mouth. But with the death toll soaring as high as 28 casualties and with a press conference from a revered source: Archbishop Valerian Okeke, I deem it the right time to raise my pen.  The greatest dismay about the pathetic incident, is that people who are bearers of the story are either the group that were always at loggerheads with the authenticity of the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry (the host ministry of the stampede) or people who saw no meaningful insight nor output of Governor Peter Obi's 8-year tenure. Hence, I cry foul with Francis Bacon, that reality (truth) keeps suffering more stampede from these individuals. The first treaty was that Gov. Peter Obi's thugs opened fire on the congregation because they supported Ngige, Chris (sen. Dr.) in absentia, when he (Gov. Peter Obi) was rattling out manifesto on behalf of his "god-son" Willie Obiano. The second version was that Senator Chris Ngige (having prior knowledge that APGA will be there), set up thugs to create a diversion, which resulted in the stampede. A third group (mainly non-catholics) cover the story up with a milieu of blame heaped on Rev.Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (Ebube MuoNso) for inviting politicians to the adoration ground for his own personal gain (Fr.Obimma rejected a sum of 2million naira offered by Governor Peter Obi). With all these varities in circulation, one can hardly make any sense out of what really happened. As for me, God forbid that I lose the cool on my professional (journalism) ethics and project the political undertones that characterize the incident. if not, I would have asked: DID GOVERNOR OBI COME TO PRAY WITH OVER 1000 of APGA ENTOURAGE OR DID HE SIMPLY TURN THE HOUSE OF GOD INTO A POLITICAL ARENA? THE PEOPLE SHOUTING IN SUPPORT OF SEN. CHRIS NGIGE, THE BROOMS (symbol of APC) WHERE DID THEY COME FROM IF THE PLAN WAS NOT PRE-MEDITATED? DID FR. OBIMMA ENLIST BROOM AS AN ITEM OF WORSHIP FOR THE NIGHT? the answers to these questions cut accross the mere coatings of the incident. for Fr. Obimma, DID HE TELL THE HOLY GHOST BEFORE-HAND THAT APGA WAS COMING? OR IS THE STAMPEDE PART OF THE DIVINE DESIGN? like I said, I refrain from asking these questions as to avoid twisting reality more and more.
For Archbishop Valerian Okeke (as reported by to him by Fr. Obimma Emmanuel), the stampede was as a result of a false alarm raised by passers-by who cried FIRE!! FIRE!! as a result of an upsurge of the fire of an AKARA (bean cake) seller. Governor Peter Obi left the Arena around 3am, the stampede happened around 5.30am. furthermore, Sen. Chris Ngige was not in the adoration ground that fateful day. As of now, the death toll is still rising as casualties flock Crown hospital Nkpor, Borromeo hospital Onitsha and the rest of the surrounding health facilities. Sen. Ngige has offered the sum of 500,000 naira to these hospitals to care for the casualties. Governor Peter Obi has set up an investigation panel and Fr. Obimma who still remains elusive to media personnel is still in a 9-day novena prayer . The good side of the incident is that one can now see the extent political under-pinning work in our society and how distortful people can be of facts, as to attain their aim. As for the bad and the ugly....TO BE CONTINUED.

                                         ILLUMINATION SERIES
(FOR CYNTHIA OKEKE, who, now, as a result of the stampede , sits on a wheel chair; Do not be afraid, I LOVE YOU MORE!)