Nobody Can Destroy Igbos/MASSOB/IPOB - Bishop Ezeokafor

Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Awka, Most Revd Paulinus Ezeokafor has assured that nobody can destroy the Igbos in Nigeria.

Bishop Ezeokafor stated this during his Christmas message to the media yesterday at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Awka. He spoke against the backdrop of the current growing disenchantment in Igbo land that the incumbent President Muhammadu  Buhari-led Federal government is operating agenda which is anti-people of the area.

The Catholic Bishop of Awka diocese dismissed the fear among some people in the South East geo-political zone of the country, otherwise, known  as Igbo land that the federal government has a hidden agenda against the people of the zone.

He rather blamed the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country on poor management of the nation's vast resources by past leaders.

Bishop Ezeokafor said "If we had used our resources well in the past, the current economic crisis we are into as a country wouldn't have occurred".

 "There are signs that things are not very much in order in the country. Those placed with the authority of this country should not try to intimidate or muzzle those who are disenchanted with how things are going on, they should rather give a listening ear to them; listen to what they are complaining about because things are not going on well in this country".

Stating that Igbos are merely being envied by other people because of the special talents God endowed them with, the prelate said "I do not think anybody is there to destroy us ( Igbos).God will not allow us to be destroyed because people feel they are uncomfortable with us".

The Catholic clergy urged Christians to show love to their neighbours, forgive and reconcile with those they are aggrieved with. He emphasised that Christmas as a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ should usher in us a new life of reconciliation with one another.

He further stated that the Church does not allow Priests to take up political appointments stating such practice would pose serious "risk" to the survival of the church since the church is made up of people from different political parties.

"If a priest accepts a political appointment, he will pay allegiance to the political party which government appointed him and that will be risky", Bishop Ezeokafor stated.