Easter Sunday Service: Will Okowa Tow The Line Of Wike, Other Governors And Suspend The Lockdown?

So much confusion is presently brewing in Delta State over the news that the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has permitted Christians in the state to hold church services to mark the Easter Sunday celebrations.

Initially, a press release said the Governor has suspended the lockdown order for churches to meet on Sunday.

Below is the press statement:

The State CAN Chairman,
Heads of Blocs,
All Pastors,
Delta State.
Beloved in Christ,
His Excellency Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa the Executive Governor of Delta State has graciously relaxed the lockdown order on Churches for the Easter Sunday Service. However, the following must be observed:
1. All Churches should observe a short service not exceeding 2 hours & should close before 12noon as the Stay at home order resumes at 1pm.
2. Provide water & soap & ensure that worshippers wash hands before entering the Church.
3. Provide Sanitizers for members to use.
4. Maintain social distance of 2 meters(6ft) between seats.
5. No hugging, no shaking of hands.
6. Offer prayers for deliverance from COVID-19.
Note: the State COVID-19 monitoring team shall pay unscheduled visit to churches to ensure compliance.
Please be guided.
His Excellency wishes you all a very Happy Easter even as he counts on your prayers.
Thank you.
Apt. Sylvanus Okorote.
SP. AD. Religious Matters.

But, a counter press statement from an aide to the governor debunked this.

Below is the press release:

Disregard media reports going round that His Excellency the Governor of Delta state has relaxed the lockdown and restriction of movements on Sunday to enable Christian faithfuls celebrate Easter Sunday service.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is the responsibility of the Secretary to the Delta state government and the Commissioner for information to issue press release on behalf of the state government.

Deltans are encouraged to continue to support the state government’s efforts towards addressing the challenges of COVID-19 by staying at home and maintain social distancing for those who are providing essential services.

Anslem Etolor
Media Assistant (New Media) to the Governor

Many wonder why a very junior aide to the governor should be the one talking to Christians in the state and not the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chiedu Ebie or the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu if the governor is not available to do this.

A call put across to Mr. Aniagwu yesterday, also saw him describing the press statement that said the governor has suspended the lockdown and that services will hold as fake news.

While many pastors and Christians are optimistic that something positive will come their way and the lockdown will be relapsed, a fresh press statement has been circulated this morning that assured Christians that Easter Sunday Worship will hold tomorrow.

Below is the press release:

*RESURRECTION SERVICE CONFIRMATION*
This is to further confirm to you that our Executive State Chairman, Bishop Dr Kingsley Enakirerhi, JP Is fully in contact with His Excellency, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Author Okowa, The Executive Governor of Delta State. He has further affirmed that Sunday Easter Services should hold as specified in the earlier circular issued by the State CAN Chairman/ SP. AD on Religious Matters, Apostle Sylvanus Okorote.
Please you are hereby advised to strictly keep to the rules as stated in the memo.
Our proactive State Chairman, Bishop Dr Kingsley Enakirerhi wishes us smooth and joyously celebration.
Please use this opportunity to intercede for the world, Nigeria and our State over the COVID- 19 / Conoravirus challenges.
*TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE*
Stay blessed and stay safe.
Yours in God’s kingdom Agenda.
Bishop Abos Willie
General Secretary
PFN Delta State.

Reacting to the new press statement circulated this morning, a very respected cleric in Warri, Bishop Curtis Fianu of Church of God Mission, New Warri Bishopric said he has called the PFN Chairman, Delta State, Bishop Dr Kingsley Enakirerhi who told him that the Governor of Delta State personally called him (Enakirerhi) yesterday in the evening and told him that church services will hold tomorrow Sunday across the state, adding that an official announcement will be made this morning by the state government to that effect.

Several calls to the mobile phone number of Bishop Enakirerhi were not picked, nor replies to our text messages made when we tried to get firsthand information from him on the matter.

Bishop Curtis has however said that if an official announcement is not made by the state government, he will not hold services because he is not be ready to get any embarrassment from security operatives.

I decided to once again contact Mr. Aniagwu about the said development of the official announcement expected from the Governor this morning and a reply to our text message from the Commissioner of Information read: “I don’t have this information.”

Some Christians however, have said that they are sure that the governor wants services to hold tomorrow just like his counterparts in Rivers and Bayelsa States.

What happens tomorrow in Delta State; will Okowa tow the path of his colleagues, Governors Wike, Diri and other governors?

Like a few persons contacted this morning said we all keep our fingers crossed.

Written by Daniel Dafe Umukoro, Publisher, Oasis Magazine