The Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor, has called on Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to address what he described as denominational imbalance in political appointments in the state.
Bishop Ezeofor made the appeal while delivering his Presidential Charge during the Third Session of the Seventh Synod of the Diocese held at Ezira, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State with the theme “God’s great task for the Church: The great commitment: Raising a godly generation.”
The cleric alleged that recent appointments by the present administration appeared skewed in favour of the Catholic denomination, warning that such development could breed feelings of exclusion among other Christian groups in the state.
“The recent appointments say so much about this. We know that the governor looks for the best from anywhere, but we cannot believe that the best comes from one church denomination alone,” he said.
“We are all Ndi Anambra and know ourselves. The governor needs to address this imbalance in his future appointments. This is our candid counsel.”
Ezeofor also appealed to the governor to check the excesses of operatives of Agunechemba security outfit under Operation Udo-Ga-Achi, alleging intimidation, extortion and forceful burial of deceased persons against the wishes of their families.
“The joint task force seems to be experiencing the same corruption that has been the bane of Nigerian security outfits. Their activities and excesses have to be checked,” he added.
The Bishop, however, commended Governor Soludo for the developmental strides recorded in the state in the last four years, particularly in the areas of security, governance, human capital development and environmental transformation.
According to Ezeofor, the administration’s five solution pillars have contributed significantly to progress across different sectors in the state.
“Everything rises and falls on leadership. Leadership borders on the wisdom to know what is right and the courage to get it done. We have seen this in the leadership of Professor C.C. Soludo in the state,” he noted.
The cleric further challenged the Federal Government to tackle rising insecurity, corruption and economic hardship in the country, warning against what he described as unhealthy political maneuverings ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ezeofor regretted, “It is all about the survival of the political class rather than service and welfare of people. The rate of political cross-carpeting across parties will soon leave us with one-party state with all its disadvantages.
“There is almost at the present no real and objective opposition. What we have now is the toxic political maneuverings that have left the economy, social and developmental challenges of the nation with no attention.
“We must remind our leaders that a one-party system places any nation in serious disadvantage as it: eliminates political opposition, leads to authoritarianism and unchecked corruption as well as lack of accountability.
“It also suppresses dissenting voices, restricts individual freedoms, lacks democratic representation and often results in poor government and limited policy innovation.
He decried what he termed “the abandonment of governance” to pursue the 2027 elections. “This is quite unfortunate. Indeed, politicians only think and talk about the next election while leaders think and talk about the next generation.
In his remarks, the Archbishop of the Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, emphasized the need for unity within the church and among families.
Ibezim urged parents not to abandon their responsibilities of raising responsible and patriotic children capable of sustaining the future of the nation.
