Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba has described the situation of Nigeria as worrisome.
He spoke in Enugu on Saturday at the Good Shepherd Specialist Hospital, where he commissioned the Ear, Nose and Throat, ENT, Centre of the hospital.
The hospital belongs to the Anglican Diocese of Enugu.
The function is part of the activities lined up for a thanksgiving service by the Archbishop of Enugu Province and Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma who is due for retirement next year.
The Primate said with the 2023 general elections a few weeks away, it was incumbent on the citizens to change the status quo.
“Every Nigerian is aware of something- that things have fallen apart; it is clear that the centre cannot hold, because those leading us politically now have one way or the other compromised the things that needed to be done for their own selfish or sensational interests
“Because of that, Nigeria has become ungovernable in terms of insecurity, hunger, poverty and sorts of things that have gone wrong,” he declared.
While blaming some of the country’s problems on sectionalization of leadership positions, Ndukuba urged politicians to place the interest of the country above self.
He said there could be no peace in the absence of justice.
According to him, “Even in the appointment of those who take care of the different sectors of the economy and all areas of government, look at when we talk of security, when we talk of economy, when we talk of education, when we talk of even water resources, you see the same group of people.
“This is a nation that is multicultural, multi-linguistic, multi-ethnic and multi-religious, yet a group, a section of this nation has hijacked everything.
“And it is the same people that will begin to cry woe tomorrow when other people do the same. I think ‘do unto others as you would want them do to you’ is a very wonderful principle, both in the scriptures and in dealing with one another.
“The way things have gone has not been for the good of the citizens of this nation; those in authority may have tried their best but in some cases, they lacked the political will to take the stand they should take in order to make things work and where there is no justice, there can never be peace, where some sections are oppressed, I believe that the country will not be healthy and that is what we have suffered so far.”
The Primate then charged the electorate to use their voting power and change the current state of things in the country.
“If you know that you have not liked the way things have gone, and you know that things can be better, this is the time everyone of us, citizens of Nigeria must get involved. Thank God for this opportunity for us to use the printing of our thumb to change the government.
“We want to urge our people, every citizen, go and collect your PVC and do not sell your PVC. February 25, go out and vote, vote for people, leaders that will be mindful of our plight, of our suffering, vote for credible people, vote for those who are not out there for what they will get; vote for those who will be touched by the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
“We are believing God that Nheria must change and get better. All of us have a role to play and this role, we must never fail. We will continue to pray but prayer is not enough.
“We are not voting for any party, we are voting for those who can stand; so no matter their party, what we want is a credible individual that will represent us well. Vote for people and not just party; don’t sell your vote,” he further stated.
He charged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, “to make sure that this election is fair and credible and handled in such a way that there will be fairness to all and the records will not be tampered with.”
He demanded that none of the key INEC officers should be changed “until this work is done and finished.
“We pray that God will give us such a peaceful election.
“As the politicians continue their campaigns, we are asking that they be mindful that the campaign should be on issues and policies, on things they will do.
“Although in Nigeria all of them are saying the same thing, we know those that can deliver; let us go for them. Remember what you have been through, let us use this opportunity to make a turn around and progress that will take us to the promised land.”
