Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr Samuel Uche, has challenged those in power to fix back Nigeria before exiting in 2023.
Bishop Uche gave the challenge while addressing a press conference in Umuahia on the sidelines of his pastoral visit to Umuahia Methodist Diocese ahead of his retirement by the end of the year.
The cleric said that he had not given up on the country unlike many, maintaining that Nigeria’s situation is not yet irredeemable.
He said that Nigeria could be actually fixed within six months if the leadership were willing and determined.
The Prelate who was Kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen about three months ago but regained his freedom after a ransom of N100 million was paid, blamed the festering insecurity on wrong leadership.
“For me, I still see hope in Nigeria. What we have as a challenge in Nigeria is un-serious leadership. If any leadership is serious, Nigeria can be fixed within six months.
“Even the people in power now can fix Nigeria if they remove their eyes from injustice and unnecessary dirty wealth. They should fix their eyes on justice, high morality and and integrity. Our situation is not irredeemable.
“But we may fail if we don’t work hard. So, I will like to advise those in office today to fix back Nigeria before they leave in 2023.”
The cleric said that insecurity would continue to fester across the country until the leadership was willing to frankly deal with the perpetrators.
“If I’m in office and I have a brother or biological child who is a criminal I will make sure he is either incarcerated or eliminated. Why should you condole miscreants and a people that want to destroy the country?
The Prelate queried the reluctance of the Nigerian Authorities in deploying the Tucano jets recently acquired from the United States of America, against bandits and terrorists on the prowl in parts of northern Nigeria.
He accused the Federal Government of treating bandits and terrorists rampaging the country with kid gloves while using sledge hammer on ordinary agitators.
He decried the worsening insecurity in the country perpetrated by bandits and Government’s laxity in dealing with them.
“Today you can’t move freely again in the country. This morning (yesterday) bandits attacked soldiers in Abuja very close to the seat of power.
“The other time they had the temerity to go to Kuje prison to release inmates! What type of Government do we have?
“These people are toying with our security. Why not order soldiers to eliminate those criminals? Why do we have Tucano jets if we won’t use them against terrorists and bandits?
“Did they buy the Jets to see if they can kill all the Biafran agitators? Why are they after Biafrans? Hatred? Why not send the aircraft after the bandits and finish them?
“Why do they allow bandits to be operating? I saw a video in Katsina State where more than 400 bandits took over the road. They intercepted travelers and robbed them and took some inside the bush.
“Why is this happening in the home state of Mr President? Is there any agenda? What is happening in Nigeria is no longer tolerable. We cannot keep quiet for them to continue.”
Hosting the Prelate later in his Amuzukwu country-home, the Traditional Prime Minister of Ibeku ancient kingdom, and a Knight of John Wesley, High Chief Uche Akwukwuegbu, expressed worry whether the 2023 election would hold if the rising insecurity in the country were no tackled.
Chief Akwukwuegbu who said he decided to host the Prelate who would be retiring by the end of the year as way to demonstrate his appreciation to God who delivered him (Prelate) from the kidnappers dens.
He also commended security agencies for arresting some of those behind the Prelate’s abduction but added that they would ask questions if the arrested suspects were not paraded.
He described the insecurity in the South-East as nightmarish and tasked security agencies to sit up.
“My friend buried his mother in Anambra State and invited me but I could not go because of insecurity. I was afraid to travel. I can’t even travel to Owerri here. Insecurity in South-East now is too bad.
“Who is going to vote in 2023 if Killings continue this way? We need more prayers so that this country will not be hijacked.”
Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Bishop Chibuzor Opoko; the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Bishop Sunday Onuoha; the Prelate’s Chaplain, Very Rev. Jeremiah Shittu; were all at the press conference.
