From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
All the nine Dioceses that make up Church of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion) Province of Nigeria Anambra State, yesterday, sent a message to Federal Government of Nigeria to obey the Court Appeal judgement and release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to bring peace to South East.
The Province on the Niger, also urged the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of Nigeria to allow equity, fairness and justice to reign in its administration in the country.
The Church of Nigeria, Province of the Niger admonition was in an address presented by its Archbishop and Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, at the 8th edition of its yearly Anglican Prayer Rally of Anambra State (APRAS) held at Alex Ekwueme Square Awka, Anambra State.
The Province of the Niger, comprises nine Anglican Dioceses in the State, namely Diocese on the Niger, with its Bishop as, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo; Diocese of Awka, Most Rev Alex Ibezim; Diocese of Nnewi, Rt Rev. Ndubuisi Obi; Diocese of Aguata, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor; Diocese of Ogbaru, Rt Rev. Prosper Amah; Diocese of Amichi, Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor; Diocese of Ihiala, Rt Rev. Israel Okoye; Diocese of Niger West, Rt. Rev Johnson Ekwe and Diocese of Mbamili, Rt Rev. Obiora Uzochukwu.
Archbishop Ibezim said in an address that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was discharged and acquitted by the Appeal Court having struck out terrorism charged filed against him by the government and ordered his release from custody. He wondered why he is still there.
He appealed to Governor Soludo to help them extend the message to President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The judgement was passed on Thursday 13th October, 2022. Despite the Court judgement, the Nigerian government said it will still keep him in detention. The Church is pleading with the government to act on the Appeal Court judgement and release the man that has been discharged and acquitted. We urge Nigerian government to allow equity, fairness and justice to reign in this administration, ” he noted.
The Anglican Prayer Rally, with the theme, ” Watch and Pray” also decried the rising insecurity in Anambra State and Nigeria in general, urging the people of the State and Nigerians to be safety conscious in their environments and keep watch and never give themselves out to vulnerable situations, particularly now the presidential and national assembly campaigns had started.
It also urged the youths to be focused on developing themselves and doing the right things at all time and avoid any negative activity that would hinder the peace and security of lives and property.
On the 2023 general election, the Province said: “As published by INEC, the Presidential election has been slated for Saturday February 25, 2023. We are confident that majority, if not all of us, are holders of our PVC’s and are ready to vote. Remember that this is your chance to make things right in our nation and we must endeavour to go and vote.
“We wish to remind INEC that the people are looking forward to legitimate and well organized elections. We want our votes to count. We are hoping that God will give us the man that will bring a progressive change in our dear nation, Nigeria, ” the address added.
Governor Charles Soludo, who attended with his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim and other governement officials, requested that the prayer rally should subsequently involve other Christian denominations in the State both Catholic and Pentecostal, adding that the family that prayed together stayed together.
He disclosed that the so called unknown gunmen terrorizing Anambra State were now known. Gov Soludo said they were using Orsumoghu as their headquarters. He said his administration would leave no stone unturned to bring sanity in the State.
The Governor noted that the gunmen in forests and other locations in Anambra had adopted idolatry in their operations thereby making it the fastest growing religion in the State. He said this had brought a big challenge to Christianity in Anambra.
Gov Soludo also said that church and families had roles to play in sanitizing Anambra State.
“We should begin to question how some people make their money. Mothers should ask their children how they make huge money they display. The church has a role to play.
“Armed robbers, kidnappers, killers and all manner of criminals come to church to be blessed after committing those crimes. The church should question the sources of income of those people, ” the Governor urged the church.
All the Bishops in the nine Anglican Dioceses in the State were either present or represented during the prayer rally which was attended by thousands of Anglican faithful in the State.