Anglican synod to elected politicians: Use your offices for service to God, humanity.

By Leonard Okachie

The 2023 Synod of the Anglican Communion, Umuahia Diocese has charged elected politicians in the country to use their offices for service to God and humanity.

The Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi, gave the charge in his Presidential Address at the Third Session of the 10th Synod of the diocese holding at St. Silas Church, Old Umuahia.

Ibeabuchi expressed gratitude to God that the elections had come and gone but regretted that it was marred by “all forms of irregularities.”

He cited the late arrival of voting materials and “manipulation of results” and failure to transmit results electronically as promised as some of the drawbacks of the exercise.

“Having gone through this rough path, we still encourage all to remain peaceful, law abiding and hopeful.

“Aggrieved candidates should seek redress in the tribunal and courts of competent jurisdiction.

“We wish them well and congratulate those declared winners.

“However, those elected should use their offices for service to God and humanity.

“It is not victory for your party or family. It is victory for a new Nigeria,” he said.

The cleric, however, regretted that many Nigerians had become disillusioned about the integrity of the nation’s judiciary.

He said: “We were taught that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

“However, the common man seems to be losing hope in the judiciary because they now operate as an arm of the executive rather than checks and interpreters of our laws.

“In the history of our country today, the judiciary is standing trial before Nigerians and international bodies.”

Ibeabuchi queried whether the judiciary would stand by the truth “or use technicalities to subvert justice.

“God is watching. Nigerians are watching.

“I earnestly pray that the Justices of our Supreme Court will stand by the truth and nothing but the truth,” he said.

The synod “vehemently” condemned the call for an Interim Government in the country.

It argued that beyond being unconstitutional, “the worst democracy is better than the best military government”.

It also decried the internal disaffection among the Igbo people, resulting in the wanton killings of the people by both internal and external forces.

“How long will this continue? They are killing us and at the same time, we are helping them to kill ourselves.”

“How can our political class and the elite divide us to the extent that we are now enemies of ourselves?

“We must say no to this ugly development,” the synod said.

It, therefore, urged the Igbo elite, political and religious leaders “to immediately commence bridge-building among the Igbo people and between them and the rest of the country”.

It decried the preference by the people for the development of other regions at the expense of the Sourh-East, saying that, given the right attention, the zone could be the Japan of Africa.

“In this synod, we call on all well-meaning sons and daughters of the Sourh-East to look homeward.

“We can have the best hospitals here. We can have the best industries, tertiary institutions and markets here.

“The Sourh-East can become the home of trade and investment in Africa.

“Please come home and let us rebuild the economy of the South-East to the glory of God,” the synod further said.

On the issue of the Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, it appealed to the Federal Government “to kindly release our son, especially now that he is in dire need of medical attention”.

The synod congratulated Dr Alex Otti on his victory at the poll and urged him and others that were elected to be magnanimous in victory.

It further advised him to be resolute in Abia transformation and focused to be able to deliver on his campaign promises and also appoint tested and trusted individuals into his government.

It also urged him to ensure regular payment of salaries and pensions, build world-class infrastructure, create jobs, open up Abia for investors and run an all-inclusive government.

“Abia people would not tolerate excuses from you, having known now ‘that they can chose their leaders’,” it said.

Speaking on the theme for the conference, “Urgent response to Christ: How ready are you?”, taken from Mark 2:14, he urged Nigerians to strive toward holiness, if they hoped to see God.

(NAN)