CHRISTIAN leaders in the North have called for 30 days fasting and prayers, following the relocation notice given by youths in the North to the Igbos.
This is just as the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend (Dr) Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle, described the recent relocation notice given to Igbos in the North as misguided and a threat to national unity.
Speaking with TribuneChurch, Reverend Ayokunle, who called for appropriate action to tackle the situation, stated that such calls were not in the interest of national unity and development, and was against the constitution.
He said: “Those youths are misguided. They are not only misguided but ethnocentric people who cannot see beyond their noses and they are the types of youths we don’t need in this nation. The call made is unconstitutional and they are a threat to the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.
“Security agents should bring such persons to book. They should not just sit back and watch; that’s how Boko Haram was allowed to grow wings. Such threat should not be underestimated; there may be some adults behind them who have not really shown up in public. The issue should be adequately addressed before it does damage to the nation.”
Northern Christian leaders declare 30 fasting, prayers
A group, under the aegis of Non-Indigenous Christian Leaders Network (NICLN), Kaduna State, has called on Nigerians to embark on a 30-day fasting and prayers against the quit notice issued to the Igbo by the Arewa Coalition groups to leave the North.
This was contained in a statement by NICLN chairman, Reverend Joseph O. Ajayi and secretary, Pastor Vitalis S. Yahemba and made available to TribuneChurch.
While condemning the threat, the statement explained that it became necessary for clerics to declare prayers for God’s intervention in the land.
The statement described the quit notice as evil, disgraceful and a serious threat to national security and unity, stressing that the action was also capable of inflaming chaos and disunity in the country.
According to the Christian leaders, Nigerians should celebrate the nation’s diversity and live together in peace and harmony as brothers and sisters.
The statement read: “While security agencies and the government are handling their aspect, we call on all Nigerians of different religious backgrounds to embark on a 30-day fasting and prayers for God intervention in our land.
“The leadership of the non-Indigenous Christian Leaders Network (NICLN), Kaduna State, views with great concern and disappointment, the ultimatum issued by a coalition of Northern Youths groups to the Igbo to vacate the Northern part of Nigeria within three months. It is the constitutional right of every law-abiding Nigerian to stay anywhere, live in peace, move freely and carry out legitimate duties in any part of Nigeria. What we are saying is that urgent steps should be taken to nip this satanic outburst in the bud.”
The group expressed its appreciation for what it described as “the timely statement issued by the Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai,” and called on “Igbo in the North and northerners living in the South-East region of the country to ignore the so-called Kaduna declaration and remain where they are currently staying.
“We are in a democracy and freedom of association and speech are allowed. However, any association or speech by anyone capable of throwing the nation into serious problem must not be allowed. In view of this, the network is calling on the Corporate Affairs Commission to cancel certificates of incorporation or registration of any registered group that promotes disunity in their utterances and hate speeches. Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand,” the statement read.
Many churches in the North may close down —Pastor Samuel
Reacting to the quit notice given to the Igbo living in the North by the youths, the Founder/Spiritual Leader of Riches of Grace Church, Enugu, Pastor Oko Samuel, prayed for the survival of Nigeria, saying that the relocation order came as a rude shock to many Nigerians, especially Ndigbo.
The cleric, whose ministry spreads to Ghana, said: “If the Igbo are forced to leave the North, it will affect the fortunes of churches in the zone as the Igbo are the major financiers of the churches in the North. Many of the churches in the North may close down because the Igbo are the main worshippers. Igbo’s exit will affect religious and commercial activities. Ndigbos are mostly Christians.
“My advice to the Federal Government is that it should use its security apparatus and agencies to protect the lives and property of every person living in the country, irrespective of race or religion. They should restructure the country or allow the Igbo have their own republic. We need peaceful co-existence as we were all created by one God.”
‘It’s God’s design that we stay together’
Also speaking with TribuneChurch on the way forward following such threats of secession, Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Right Reverend Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe, noted that “As far as the nation is concerned, we want to appeal to all and sundry to be united; to forgive and forget the past. God, who decided to bring us together as one country, has not made a mistake. Whether from the North, South, East or West, it is God’s design that we stay together. We need to reconcile our differences and come together and stand as one country.”
In his reaction, Bishop Joshua Oluwasola Durojaye of the Blood of Jesus Calvary Church International, Ibadan, Oyo State, stated that the threats of secession was not in the interest of development, peace and progress. He noted that Nigerians should endeavour to uphold the constitutional right of freedom of association and rights as citizens of the country.
Statement, most uncharitable –Revd Adelekan
Senior pastor Ebenezer Baptist Church, Makera, Kaduna, Reverend Joseph Adelekan, in his reaction, appealed “to both sides to sheath their swords,” noting that “Nigeria is one country. God created us and brought us together. To say one tribe should leave a region is the most uncharitable statement. We must encourage mutual coexistence.”
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