As the November 16, 2013 gubernatorial election draws nearer, the APC candidate, Senator Chris Ngige has embroiled himself in unwanted controversy following allegations that he slapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Ezekwona at a burial ceremony in ka, Agulu, Anambra State on Thursday.
Senator Ngige was said to have become furious when he erroneously concluded that Rev. Fr. Ezekwona was deliberately standing in his way and suddenly snapped, pouncing on the hapless priest, strangling him first and then unleashing a torrent of slaps on both sides of the clergyman's face.
The incident took place at the at the burial of the mother of the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor in ka which attracted prominent sons and daughters of the state, including politicians.
An eye witness, Obiora Onwuama, who observed the scuffle, revealed that after unleashing his fury on Rev. Fr. Ezekwona, Ngige was not fully satisfied and promptly instructed his personal aides to torture him and they promptly pounced and inflicted more bodily injuries on him.
"We were all horrified at the sight. Senator Ngige must have acted blindly because the man was dressed in his cassock. There were screams of shock and horror from the onlookers but Senator Ngige could not be stopped. He must have mistaken Fr. Evaristus for a member of the opposition party," Onwuama explained in total disbelief.