Forget about Re-election, Anglican Church Advises BuhariÂ
By Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia
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After reviewing the gross incompetence being displayed by the Presidency in providing security for the citizenry, the Umuahia Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office and forget about vying for re-election.
The church also tasked the federal government “to clearly explain†to the world what happened to the traditional ruler of Isiama Afaraukwu, Eze Israel Kanu, his wife Ugoeze Sally, and their son, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after soldiers stormed the palace on September 14, 2017.
These demands were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the ninth synod of the Umuahia Diocese held at St. Luke’s Church Amakama Olokoro in Umuahia South Local Government of Abia State. The synod had “frowned on the present crisis-ridden situation in the nationâ€.
“The decision of the president to run for a second tenure should be reconsidered, and the synod called on him to resign honourably,†the church said in the communiqué drafted by a 10-member committee headed by Venerable Alex Ihemekwala and Rev. Nathaniel Ezemandu as secretary.
The synod further condemned the “disturbing activities of the rampaging Fulani herdsmen and the inability of the government to rein the militants, adding that “this has led to pillage and destruction of villages and communities as well as dastardly massacre of innocent residents by the marauding Fulani herdsmenâ€.
It therefore regretted that the federal government has continued to foot drag in taking decisive action against the rampaging herdsmen despite “national outcry against the Fulani herdsmen and calls for the federal government to declare them as terroristsâ€.
However it was not all condemnation as the synod appreciated the efforts made by the government to negotiate the release of some of the Chibok and Dapchi school girls abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists.
Still, the synod “frowned on the intermittent resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and abduction of school girls and other residents, after the present administration had told Nigerians that the sect had been technically defeatedâ€.
On the general performance of elected political office holders, the synod noted that they have failed to adequately inform the electorate on the position and situation of things in the country at federal, state and local government.
At the local level, the synod commended the Abia State government for the free school meal programme being implemented at the primary schools thereby increasing nutritional intake and combating malnutrition and poor academic performance. Â
NonethelesS,  the synod condemned the non-payment of backlog of salaries owed primary and secondary teachers in the state, and “advised that these backlogs of salaries be paid without further delayâ€.
