It seems sanity has once more returned to Imo state Nigeria particularly as Governor Rochas Okorocha has caved in to pressure from the religious sect -particularly the Catholics-who have been fighting the government hard since this abortion bill was passed into law.

Yesterday, Governor Rochas Okorocha met with members of the Imo State House of Assembly and a cross section of clergymen over the controversies surrounding Law No.12 of 2012 among other issues in the state.

The Governor rendered his profound apologies to everyone who was offended by the law. He said that it was never the intention of the Government to legalize abortion in the State but to protect women and children from trauma of violence and rape.

According to the Governor, even though the law was protecting the vulnerable members of the society, especially the women, it should be amended in the interest of the state.

He said his interest in giving assent to the law was an example he saw in Plateau State years back where a woman was raped by a mad man in the market resulting to the woman getting pregnant, saying he was not blackmailed into signing the law.

Governor Okorocha added that what was paramount to him was the general opinion of the people of Imo because “a good government is one that listens to people”.

The state House of Assembly has commenced proceedings to repeal the law. In the sitting which was presided over by Deputy Speaker Rt.Hon Donatus Ozoemena, the bill passed its first reading and was adjourned till September 10, 2013 .