Methodist Church warns Ndigbo not to boycott 2019 elections

The Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN) has advised people of the south east not to buy the idea of boycotting the 2019 general elections in the country. The Prelate, MCN, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Chukwuemeka Kalu Uche handed down this advice in Umuahia during a press conference after a tour of Umuahia Archdiocese of the church, calling on the Federal Government to also release Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, an outspoken and foremost Shi’a Muslim cleric in Nigeria. Dr. Uche who expressed his belief in dialogue, advised that political wars are not settled at the field, adding “If we boycott it, others will rule us.” He said that the Igbos are still marginalized and that no Igbo man occupies any position at the top three echelon of Nigeria political position, adding “what caused the civil war is still there and Nigerian is still afraid of the Igbos”. This, he said caused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to issue the order, adding that it was the Igbos who brought enlightenment into the country as well as civilization. He advised that the continued detention of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky is part of impunity on the part of the Federal Government, having been released by the court. The Methodist Prelate also warned the executive in the country not to hold the Legislature to ransom, stating “no one person is greater than Nigeria. Nigerian leaders should learn to be servant-leaders”. He urged people to know their rights, adding “leaders deliberately impoverish the people so as to manipulate them, as well as using children as thugs and buying drugs for them”. He added “Nigerian politicians are not known to mean well for the people, but are hawks in sheep cloths. Such politicians should be voted out”. Dr. Uche advised politicians not to punish Nigeria citizens just because “we are smiling while suffering, adding that government at all levels are failing in their duties and must rise up to the challenge. “Any government at any level that cannot pay salaries should not expect to be voted back; they should be voted out.” He also challenged the Independent national Electoral Commission, (INEC) to ensure that the 2019 elections are credible free and fair to all candidates to ensure that the best wins at all levels. The Prelate also used the occasion to challenge the Abia State Environmental Sanitation Authority (ASEPA) over the cleanliness and the huge refuse that abound in the state, particularly, Umuahia. He also informed that about 29 inmates of Methodist Home for the Mental Destitute Home, Amaudo Itumbuzo, formerly mad people released from the home will sit for WAEC, adding that the essence of the church in Nigeria is over health, education and the gospel for the soul. “I love Buhari, Atiku, and all the presidential candidates, and all other political position candidates, but let the best win,” he further stated.