Politics
Bishop Urges Nigerians To Learn From Sudan’s Crises
Nigerian politicians
have been urged not to use politics to advance religious issues to avoid the experience of Sudan, saying it may be detrimental to the unity of the country.
The Bishop of Kaji-Keji, Republic of South Sudan, Rt. Rev Anthony Poggo, who gave this indication last Friday in Port Harcourt, in an interview with The Tide, said Nigeria should learn from what happened in Sudan to avoid a religious war.
Bishop Poggo said the Boko Haram religious sect should be condemned by all irrespective of political religious and ethnic leanings, stressing that with the little he has read about their activities, it calls for caution, while security operatives should be equipped to deal with the situation.
Rt. Rev Poggo, who is on a 10-day visit to the Niger Delta North Diocese of the Anglican Communion, explained that the Sudanese war was caused by years of neglect, marginalisation and the imposition of Sharia Law on the predominantly Christian Southern Sudan.
The clergyman said although the war ended in 2005, with over five million people losing their lives, the two sides to the conflict signed a Comprehensive Peace Agreement leading to the January 9, 2011, referendum that gave birth to the independence of South Sudan.
According to him, “we had lived well before but the politicians used religion to achieve selfish aims and that politication of religious issues became the problem”.
He noted the years of war in sudan would have been avoided if the political class had listened to the yearnings of the people of the Southern Sudan.
“Like the Niger Delta region in Nigeria, south-sudan produces the oil that sustains the country, but their people are not involved”, he said emphasising that no refinery is built in the south. They are rather sited in the Northern part that does not have oil because they were in control of government.
He noted that the church is growing tremendously, under the new government, and with their prayerful support, there is hope, noting that a number of political parties exist, but the majority party is the Sudanese People Liberation Movement that had been at the forefront of the struggles for independence for the South Sudan.
On his mission to Rivers State, the religious leader disclosed that it was on the invitation of the Bishop of the Niger Delta North Diocese and Archbishop of the province of the Niger Delta and Rector of St Matthew’s Anglican Church Nkpogu Ven Isaac Tejevbo. He commended them for the useful discussions on how to partner to improve the missionary work in south sudan.
The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has strongly rejected calls by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria seeking the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, over comments he allegedly made on genocide.
The Fellowship described the demand as unjustified and a threat to constitutional freedoms.
In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, the PFN insisted that Prof Amupitan, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to express his views on matters of national concern, irrespective of the public office he occupies.
According to the PFN, the comments attributed to the INEC Chairman were made in his personal capacity and had no link whatsoever with his official responsibilities or electoral duties.
The Fellowship stressed that elections and electoral activities were not involved in the matter, arguing that there was no basis to connect the alleged comments to Prof Amupitan’s role as INEC Chairman.
“We strongly oppose such calls because Prof. Amupitan, as a Nigerian, has the right to make comments on what he observes to be happening in the nation, regardless of his appointment or assignment,” the statement read.
The PFN said it condemned “in every ramification” the suggestion that the INEC Chairman should be removed from office on the basis of his personal views, warning against attempts to punish public officials for expressing opinions outside the scope of their official duties.
The Tide source reports that the Fellowship also cautioned against what it described as a growing tendency to interpret national issues through religious lenses, noting that such an approach only deepens divisions and undermines peaceful coexistence.
“We must resist the temptation of profiling or judging people based on their religious beliefs or positions. Prof. Amupitan has a right to bear his mind, and this should not be at the cost of his job,” the PFN added.
The PFN called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint, understanding and mutual respect in national discourse, particularly on sensitive issues.
It emphasised that unity and peace must remain paramount in addressing national challenges.
The Fellowship reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice and mutual respect, urging that these values guide public engagement and responses to issues affecting the country.
The Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Darlington Oji, has disclosed that about 15 Special Advisers to the governor were duly approved by the Rivers State House of Assembly before the current political crisis in the State.
Oji made the disclosure in a Television programme in Port Harcourt, recently, while reacting to issues surrounding appointments, the impeachment moves against the governor and his deputy, and allegations of financial mismanagement.
He clarified that the appointment of Special Advisers was carried out in strict compliance with constitutional provisions, and received the approval of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, before the crisis began.
According to the Special Adviser, the appointments did not require any further screening, countering claims that the governor violated due process in constituting his advisory team.
On the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, Oji described the process as unfounded and lacking constitutional backing.
He said that several lawmakers who initially supported the impeachment move were now reconsidering their stance after discovering that the process had no legal basis.
Oji also attributed the impeachment plot to personal and political ambitions, saying it is not motivated by the interest or welfare of the people of Rivers State.
Speaking on the financial position of the State after the Emergency Rule, the Special Adviser disclosed that the governor met about ?600 billion in the state’s coffers upon assumption of office.
He explained that the availability of funds enabled the administration to continue governance smoothly without the need for a supplementary budget.
The governor’s aide also refuted allegations of financial mismanagement against the governor, and stressed that all allocations to lawmakers and constituency projects were transparently handled.
He maintained that the Fubara administration remained focused on development, stability, and good governance despite the political distractions in the State.
Oji expressed confidence that the impeachment moves would eventually be abandoned as legislators and the public become more informed, adding that the governor’s leadership has continued to reassure citizens and sustain political stability in the State.
King Onunwor
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