Gov. Okorocha Douses Tension Over Over Abortion Law Controversy

…As The Imo Assembly Passes First
Reading Of The Amendment

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.