Anglican bishop said that 2015 sends fear to mind

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Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Calabar, Rt. Rev. Tunde Adeleye, on Monday said the mere thought of 2015 sends fear, bad feeling and fright to the mind.

Adeleye, who stated this during a press briefing in Calabar as part of activities lined up for the 2014 synod of the Anglican Church, said the situation has become disturbing because of the religious undertone that had been introduced to politics.

He also identified true federalism as the solution to the multifarious challenges bedeviling the country, adding that the problems of corruption, insecurity, poverty and the like could be nipped in the bud if Nigeria practiced true federalism.

According to Adeleye, there are political parties, which appear to be different and to be fighting for the common man in the country, but are actually religious bigots.

He said, “It is sad. It is obvious that such political parties actually represent and have the interest of a particular region. This does not look safe for our political development. A situation where a state government is deliberately prescribing religious (Islamic) attires for school children in the state is strange and unfortunate.

“Thinking about 2015, sometimes,  sends fears, bad feeling and fright to my mind. This is not to say that we have not had this type of political turbulence in the past. What is now disturbing is the new dimension to our political experiences.”

Peaking on the issue of true federalism, Adeleye said the presidential system of government as currently practiced in Nigeria is not only ‘laughable’ but a clear indication that it will not lead the country anywhere.

He said, “Nigeria is extremely heterogeneous and this present system of governing us as if we are in a military system or a unitary state is not only laughable but it is clear that it will not get us anywhere.”

The Anglican Bishop, however, described the just concluded National Conference, headed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi as an exercise in futility since it failed to address the ‘fundamental’ issue of true federalism.

He also accused the military of destroying the foundation of federalism in Nigeria, saying “the military governed us as a unitary system and we should humbly accept this and take steps to correct the issues.

Adeleye also said the recent ceasefire agreement between the federal government and the Boko Haram Sect over the release of over 200 schools girls abducted in Borno was an insult to Nigeria.

While also frowning at the quality of leaders in the country, the Anglican Bishop said, “Nigeria lacks leaders who have vision with righteous intentions and missions as for as long as we continue to have leaders who are selfish, we are not likely to come out of our leadership challenges.”

Anglican bishop said that 2015 sends fear to mind