Gov. Okorocha Douses Tension Over Over Abortion Law Controversy...As The Imo Assembly Passes First Reading Of The Amendment

By TheNigerianVoice-TNV
His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha OON addressing members of the Imo House of Assembly and cross sections of the public
His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha OON addressing members of the Imo House of Assembly and cross sections of the public

Owelle Rochas Okorocha in an address to the members of Imo State House of Assembly with the cross section of the clergy, the Media and people of Imo State at the temporary chamber of the Assembly, has doused tension over the much talked about abortion law while appealing to the members of the House of Assembly to delete the controversial section.

The law number 12 of 2012, Section 40 (i) which bothers on the protection of women against any act of violence especially as it concerns sexual assault and other sexual violence such as rape, incest and where pregnancy endangers the life or physical, mental, physiological or emotional health of the mother, has been received with so much resistance from the religious organizations and some sections of the Imo publics.

Governor Okorocha narrated his experiences over violent acts against women and their collateral damage, where he has adopted many of such children who were dumped for the mentioned trauma the mothers face in such circumstances. He averred that when such such bill sponsored by the Majority leader, Hon. Adaku Ihuoma, was brought to him, he felt that it was good for the rest of the society especially the women thereby accenting to it.

He admonished the good people of Imo State that the law in its entirety never meant to legalize abortion. He however observed that law is meaningless when the society for which it is made is diametrically opposed to it.

He appealed to the Bishops, Pastors and other Religious leaders to forgive him in whatever way he would have provoked their minds saying he meant well and felt that the women deserve better saying on their support was the emergence of Rescue Mission Government.

Imo Legislators on their part extolled Governor Okorocha's leadership style and promised to listen to him and speedily attend to the executive amendment bill as to the controversial section of the law. The House making real their promise passed the first reading of the amendment and adjournment for the second reading for September 10, 2013.

The House members took turns to speak on the matter and maintained they never meant any harm as they only acted to ameliorate and find a way round violence against the women.

Meanwhile, the cross section of the clergy who were present praised Governor Okorocha for being responsible, responsive and sensitive to the yearlings of the people. Speaking for to the Journalists, Bishop Bright Ogu, retired Archbishop of Mbaise Diocese extolled Governor Okorocha for being sensitive to the call by the people. He promised that the clergy will go round to take the message to their various churches and members.

Mr. Philemon Nnaji-Ibe, a renowned comedian and entertainer praised Governor Okorocha saying he is a listening leader who at every point has shown the people that he is a servant leader. "We understand most youths have dropped out from school for one violence or the other but listening to the majority of the people has shown he means well as a leader", said he.

This may have brought to end all the raging controversy in the State especially in the media. This may have also disappointed those who were making political gain out of the nagging issue.