Former vice-presidential candidate Peter Obi has revealed he concluded plans to quit politics until the likes of the late Rev. Fr. Patrick Omuta intervened.
Mr Obi made the revelation during the requiem mass for Omuta at the Basilica of the most Holy Trinity, Onitsha.
Reacting to the comment made during the Mass by the homilist Fr Celestine Aniofor that late Fr Omuta had at a time urged Obi to remain active in politics, Obi said: “Following my experience in Nigerian politics, I had, at the time I was about to leave office as the governor of Anambra State, contemplated quitting politics. The dirt, insincerity, greed, selfishness and many other human vices that pervade the Nigerian political sphere were too discouraging for me to continue. I had made up my mind to quit active politics, and just keep contributing to nation building from my private space.
“Then on one occasion I attended an event at this Basilica, I made my intentions known to the priests and religious present. Omuta, having listened to me, spoke at length and gave me reasons I should remain in politics to cause positive change. He recalled my achievements in education, health and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and urged me to remain active in politics to keep shinning the light on the dark corridors of power. His words, just like those of late Archbishop A. K. Obiefuna, who also spurred me on, rekindled my political desire and gave me courage.
“Till today, we have a political system in the nation, where the people have refused to do what is right. The problem of Nigeria is the elite and greedy politicians who are hell-bent on looting the nation dry. But with people like late Fr Omuta, who urged me on, I am now firmly resolved to continue to try to cause a wave of positive change in the country.”
Obi further recounted how Omuta played significant roles in improving the health services of Onitsha Archdiocese, as he kept working closely with his administration and his MDGs team: the then chief of staff and chairman of MDGs implementation committee in Anambra State, Prof Chinyere Okunna, and the special adviser on MDGs Vivian Nwandu.
“Achievements recorded by the health sector of Onitsha Archdiocese will not be complete without Omuta’s inputs. His death is a great loss to us all,” Obi mourned.
Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Valerian Okeke; Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Most Rev’d Denis Isizoh; Bishop of Nnewi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev’d Hilary Odili Okeke, dignitaries, family, friends and well-wishers all gathered to pay their last respects to the late priest.