ECWA Challenges Nigerian Leaders

By Ralph Madugu

ECWA leadership has called on Nigerian leaders to join hands to ensure the peace, unity and stability of the country.

Speaking in the wake of recent happenings across the country, the ECWA leadership cautioned Nigerians not to take God’s grace for granted because He had been gracious to the country.

In a statement signed by the ECWA President, Rev. Stephen Panya Baba, the ECWA leadership condemned the needless killings and wanton destruction of property in some parts of the country and commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones and prayed for healing for the injured.

While calling for restraint and calm in the face of provocations by enemies of the country, ECWA stated that the killings and destruction of property being witnessed were at variance with the genuine intentions of the ENDSARS protesters who were demanding for police reforms, justice and restitution for victims of police brutality.

The state read in part: “Recent events have clearly shown that our God-given and beloved country, Nigeria is gradually drifting into a state of anarchy, which if not properly handled, can lead to total collapse of the Nigerian State.

“Given the bitter experiences of the Nigerian civil war (1967-1970) and other violent conflicts, the consequences of war are better imagined that experience.”

It added that the ENDSARS protests had given the country hope, adding that the younger generation had shown that it is possible for Nigerians to stand together for justice and fairness irrespective of tribe, ethnicity or religion and in a non-violent way.

“At this point, it is instructive to state that the ENDSARAS protest has become a metaphorical expression of the current state of our nation, which is plagued with a gamut of endemic problems that continue to threaten our corporate existence. The Boko Haram insurgency, Fulani herdsmen killings especially in the Middle Belt, banditry, kidnappings, massive corruption, nepotism, injustice in appointments and distribution of national resources, poverty, hunger, youth unemployment and restiveness, religious bigotry and intolerance and ethnic tensions are deep seated challenges that must be addressed beyond the ENDSARS demands.”

While calling on all leaders to work together for the peace, unity and stability of the country the ECWA President said: “I wish to passionately appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari, political, religious, traditional and community leaders, elder statesmen and women, the intelligentsia and all Nigerians to come together and work assiduously for the peace, unity and stability of Nigeria. We must all resolve to rescue Nigeria from precipice.”

The statement pointed out that many Nigerians had lost faith in the ability of the Nigerian state to guarantee their rights, security and welfare as provided by the Constitution which had led to increasing agitation for self-determination by different ethnic nationalities and the widespread demands for restructuring.

It added that while government was responding to the demands of Nigerian youth, ECWA believed that lasting solutions could only be found through “decisively resolving the challenges confronting the nation.”

While soliciting for prayers for those in authority, he said: “The Bible enjoins believers to pray for leaders and all people in authority. I therefore urge all Christians to pray for our leaders, particularly for President Muhammadu Buhari, that God will grant him wisdom, courage and will to do what is right and just in the sight of God. Let us pray in line with 2 Chronicles 7:14 that God will forgive our sins and heal Nigeria and grant us peace, love and unity in the mighty name of Jesus.”

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