The Onitsha Archdiocesan Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) has urged its members to prioritise the credibility, character and integrity of candidates over political party affiliations in the 2027 general elections.
The organisation said voters should support individuals who were accessible, accountable and committed to serving the people, irrespective of their political platforms.
The Vicar-General of the Onitsha Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. JohnBosco Okafor, gave the advice during the maiden convention of the archdiocesan CMO held at the field of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha.
Okafor, who represented the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke, during the Holy Mass marking the convention, urged fathers to remain committed to their responsibilities in their families, the Church and society.
He also encouraged members to participate actively in CMO meetings and other Church activities, stressing the importance of responsible engagement in the affairs of society.
The convention, themed “Champion of Christ, Defender of Faith and Family,” also focused on mobilising support for the establishment of an e-library at Shanahan University, Onitsha, founded by the Archbishop.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Sir Aloysius Azubike Okafor, KSJI, commended the Chaplain of the Onitsha Archdiocesan CMO, Very Rev. Fr. Sampson Ogbuebune, and its President-General, Chief Sir Everistus Ubah, for what he described as prudent leadership and commitment to the organisation’s growth.
He said the collaborative efforts of the two leaders had strengthened the organisation and urged members to support them in further repositioning the CMO.
“I thank our Chaplain, Fr. Ogbuebune, and our President-General, Chief Sir Everistus Ubah. They are doing wonderfully well, and we need to support them to revive CMO further. This convention is a time for CMO to come together and chart the way forward,” he said.
Okafor described men as heads of their families and called on members to make the organisation more functional through active participation in its programmes and activities.
In an interview with journalists, Ogbuebune expressed gratitude to God for the successful hosting of the convention, noting that participation in the organisation’s activities had improved through the efforts of its leadership.
He said fathers who previously showed limited interest in CMO programmes were now responding positively, attributing the development to the concerted efforts of his office and the President-General.
The chaplain also disclosed that members had agreed to support candidates based on their individual qualities rather than their political parties.
“We have agreed to vote for an individual contesting for a position, not a political party. When the individual is good, the party will be good. If we go for a party and neglect the individual, we may not get what we want,” he said.
Also speaking, Ubah, popularly known as Oba Nnabuenyi, described the CMO as a Christian organisation rather than a partisan group.
He said the organisation would support individuals who were known to the people, accessible and willing to serve selflessly.
“Somebody who will serve you is somebody you can interact with. If you don’t interact with the person, how will he serve you?” he asked.
The President Emeritus of the organisation, Hon. Sir Ifeanyichukwu E. S. Nnajiaku, KSM, expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the CMO since he handed over its leadership to Ubah.
He attributed the organisation’s growth to the commitment of the current leadership, adding that the convention was organised to remind fathers of their responsibilities to their families, the Church and society.
Nnajiaku described the family as a domestic Church and emphasised the role of fathers in nurturing Christian values and promoting family welfare.
Meanwhile, Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North Senatorial District, and Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, were among the dignitaries at the convention.
Nwoye pledged to construct the proposed e-library at Shanahan University on behalf of the Onitsha Archdiocesan CMO.
Highlights of the convention included the announcement of football, quiz and march-past competitions. Onitsha Region won the football and quiz competitions, while Iyiowa Odekpe emerged winner of the march-past competition.