Nigeria is the worst place to be Christian- Imo Church leaders ----wants State Commissioner of police to apologize

www.odogwublog.com reports that Church leaders in Imo State under the aegis of Concerned Church Leaders Forum yesterday in unison decried the killings in the country, saying "Nigeria has become the worst place in the world to be a Christian".

They demanded an apology from the State Commissioner of Police, Dasuki Galadanchi for desecrating the altar of God, after he arrested an Assemblies of God Pastor over his preaching.

The Church leaders equally called on the State House of Assembly not to make a bolt-face over the ranching bill which they have denied, saying no to ranch in any disguise.

The church leaders made the demands at a press briefing addressed by Dr Cosmas Ilechukwu who is currently the National Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN); Reverend Dr Victor Isiodu, General Overseer of Balm of Gilead ministries; Bishop Ezenna Egbo, the Imo State PFN Chairman; and other clergymen.

According to the clergymen, the aberrations in the democratic culture is increasing, such that even when leaders acknowledge the " unfortunate, embarrassing and inexcusable predicament, their individual and collective actions, in grave manner, are destructive of all mechanisms that build progress, growth and sustainable development. Nigeria has become the worst place in the world to be a Christian".

Further, Dr Ilechukwu said "the provisions in the 1999 constitution relating to freedom of worship and religion are wide enough but the Federal Government has failed with the mindless bloodletting in various parts of the country, to guarantee the safety of Christians whom the constitution declare to have liberty to worship the God of Heaven, the creator of all human beings including these leaders".

Reacting on the arrest of a clergyman by the police, Dr Ilechukwu said "the recent happening where Reverend Chukwuma Okezie of the Assemblies of God Church, (AG) Amakohia was arrested and paraded before newsmen for preaching what was termed hate speech, capable of inciting people is an aberration. We understand that ministers of the gospel have immunity on the altar. It is a desecration of the pulpit that must not be repeated. And we demand that the man be discharged and the case dismissed forthwith".

Further, the PFN national vice President said " we demand an apology from the police Commissioner, his redeployment, and retirement because apparently he was sent here on a mission and not to do police work", Ilechukwu stated.

When contacted the police spokesman, Andrew Enwerem said "everybody has freedom of speech to say whatever they want to say to say. We can't stop people from talking but they should go to court and talk because the matter has been charged to court, and the suspect is on bail".

Speaking on the ranching bill which the state Assembly has denied, Ilechukwu said "we vehemently oppose the bill to establish cattle ranches in the state. We feel ashamed of that House of Assembly that could not provide a cost benefit analysis of such vicious project before enacting a law to support same. The House appears unconcerned about the ravaging menace of herdsmen all over Nigeria. We appreciate that the House has denied the ranching bill but we are worried because judging by some antecedents particularly that of abortion law that was denied and later found to be true. Let the denial remain true", the Church leaders demanded.

According to the church leaders, there is nothing called ranching saying " there is nothing actually called cattle colonies because you can only have colonies inhabited by humans not cattle, and it is private business", Ilechukwu explained.

On the attempt to impeach the Deputy Governor of the State, Prince Eze Madumere, the clergymen said "the circumstances are so irritating and unconscionable. It is lawfully deplorable that anything that could reduce the unprecedented torment and destitution ravaging almost every home in Imo state is least important to government".

The Church leaders called on the members of the state Assembly and everyone involved to sheath their sword and avoid overheating the polity saying " the conditions of the masses presently are very despicable and hopeless and it will be most insensible to aggravate their agony and trauma by inhuman activities in Government". 

Pix caption

(L-R) Revd Dr Victor Isiodu of Balm of Gilead ministries; Dr Cosmas Ilechukwu, PFN national vice president; and Bishop Ezenna Egbo, PFN Chairman Imo State amongst other Church leaders during the press briefing in Owerri.