By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

A major trouble is currently brewing between the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Nweze Umahi, and the Catholic Church in the state, News Express authoritatively learnt.

The looming brouhaha follows the rejection of state honours award by the Bishop of Abakiliki Diocese, Most Rev’ Fr. Peter Nworie Chukwu.

It was learnt that the governor and the state government feel humiliated that a priest turned down his gesture to bestow an award on him. Umahi, it was further gathered, almost canceled the award ceremony with officials of the government making uncomplimentary remarks about the priest’s disposition.

The governor in a letter obtained by News Express, had expressed his pleasure on behalf of the state government and himself to have the presence of the priest at the special event, scheduled to hold on December 22, 2022. In the letter of notification dated December 12, 2022 and signed by Governor Umahi, Bishop Chukwu was informed to “please forward a brief of your biographical note and personal attainment” to an email address." The letter which carried a code number, GOV/EBS/OM/3.42/V/350, on Government of Ebonyi State of Nigeria letterhead, reads in part: "I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected by the government of Ebonyi State for the conferment of State Honours Award as Commander, Ebonyi Hall of Fame (CEHF), pursuant to Ebonyi State Honours Law No 008 of 2022. This Award of Honour is in recognition of your illustrious service to Ebonyi State and humanity.

“Congratulations and please accept always, the assurances of the esteemed regards and best wishes of the government and people of Ebonyi State”.

However, the Catholic priest did not only shun Umahi’s invitation to be conferred with a prestigious maiden state of honours award, as Commander Ebonyi Hall of Fame, Chukwu also asked Umahi to discharge the murder charge against his predecessor.

The priest, in his own reply in a letter dated December 16, 2022, wrote:

"Re-Notification of Your selection for the Maiden State of Honours Award 2022 As Commander Ebonyi State Hall of Fame (CEHF). I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter notifying me that I have been selected for the maiden state Honours Award. I am pleasantly surprised that I was selected for such a prestigious honour by your government.

"Your Excellency, I wish to respectfully decline the awrd. I am barely one year in office. I am struggling to fit into the high demands of the ecclesiastical of the Bishop. So, I feel that I have not achieved much as to deserve an award. If I may suggest, I would rather wish that this award be bestowed on my predecessor, Most Rev Michael Nnachi Okoro, for his long and meritorious service to God and humanity.

“Rather than give me an award, I would prefer you set in motion, actions that would facilitate the termination of murder charge and sundry charges against my priest, Rev Fr Timothy Ngwuta.”

Some observers have commended the priest, saying, “Bravo. One of the few men of character and courage in spite of the suffocating inducements from most of the political traducers of the present time”.

Another observer stated, “To God be the glory. We still have men of God, who have so much integrity and conscience like this. May God continue to guide and bless this Bishop. He is really a genuine spiritual leader”.

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