Probe INEC, NNPC, others – Anglican Church to Tinubu

The Anglican Diocese of Enugu has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend his government’s anti-corruption drive to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Ltd, as well as other agencies, ministries and parastatals of government.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the third session of 18th synod of the Diocese of Enugu, Anglican Communion.

The synod was held at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu, from Thursday 29 June to Sunday 2nd July, 2023.

“The Synod notes with interest the ongoing efforts of the current government towards tackling corruption by the removal and investigation of the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” the communique signed by the Most Rev. Dr. E.O. Chukwuma, Archbishop/Bishop of Enugu, Prof. Offornze D. Amucheazi, SAN, Chancellor, Ven. Dr. Stanley N. Nweze, Synod Secretary and H.B.C Ogboho Esq, Registrar, reads.

The Synod said it hoped that the outcome of these investigations would be made public and the probe extended to other institutions, including INEC, NNPC and some Federal Government political appointees in the last administration.

It also expressed concern over the image of the judiciary in the country.

The communique further stated that:

“The Synod commends candidates and political parties who adopted the peaceful approach by challenging the outcome of the 2023 general elections.

“The Synod is dismayed with the erosion of confidence of Nigerians in the judiciary and urges the judiciary to use the opportunity of the current election tribunals to peoples’ confidence by dispensing justice without fear or favour.

“The Synod frowns at INEC’s failure to keep to its promises of free, fair and credible elections, particularly the promise of use of BIVAS and immediate transmission of results through the IREV portal.

“The Synod condemns the threats and attacks on eligible voters on election days, particularly in Lagos State where Igbos were attacked with their properties destroyed while preventing them from exercising their franchise.

“The Synod expresses dissatisfaction with the conduct of INEC which portrayed the institution as being partisan in the ongoing election petition matters and urges the commission to immediately retrace its steps.

“The Synod calls for the strengthening of INEC by making it truly independent by ensuring the appointments of credible persons as chairman and commissioners.

“The Synod congratulates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his emergence and steps so far taken to restore peace, unity and national economy.

“The Synod frowns at the sudden removal of fuel subsidy without any palliatives, a development that has increased the hardship in the country.

“The Synod therefore calls for immediate application of the dividends from the subsidy removal to cushion the effects of the hardship and rising inflation.”

The Enugu Diocese equally commended President Tinubu for the reflection of the federal character principle in the recent appointment of service chiefs.

It, however, expressed concern that “the incessant attacks on the people of Southern Kaduna and Christian Community in Plateau State have persisted, and calls on the incumbent President to address the menace.

“The Synod notes that terrorist activities vis-à-vis kidnapping, ritual killings, banditry, arms running, killer herdsmen among others have contributed to our roads and cities being unsafe.

“The Synod urges the current administration to intensify and expedite actions in improvement of the country’s security architecture.

“The Synod frowns at the resurgence of kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, unlawful possession of firearms and other violent crimes in Enugu State and therefore calls on the state government and security agencies to scale up intelligent gathering measures and act proactively in tackling these security breaches.

“The Synod calls on Enugu State government and security agencies to intensify actions in the troubled Akpawfu Town in Nkanu East Local Government Area where lives and properties have been lost recently, as well as Ugwuogo – Opi – Nsukka road where hoodlums have made travelling a nightmare.

“The Synod expresses displeasure over the planned hike in electricity tariff and calls on the federal government to suspend the action in view of the prevailing hardship in the country.”