Rt. Reverend Chikwendu Igwe, Methodist Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, has slammed Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, and Labour Minister, Chris Ngige, for expressing their intention to run for president when Nigerian institutions had been closed for over two months.
The clergyman, speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Kubwa diocese in Abuja, said both ministers have no moral right to compete for the job since the education system is in disarray and employees’ welfare is not addressed.
According to him, “the ministers have no moral right to seek a political position when they have not addressed their immediate environment. If as a minister of education and within the period you have supervised that ministry you cannot fix the problem, is it the nation you can fix?”
He continued: “If as a Minister of Labour, you cannot fix workers’ welfare, is it the nation you will fix? And one begins to wonder where on earth did they get N100 million? (for expression and nomination forms) Nigeria is a funny place where unusual things happen. One would have expected that these persons should pass the integrity test. Let them tell us where they got the money.”
On insecurity, the bishop submitted that the activities of Fulani herders were already causing food shortage in the country.
He said: “Some of the farmers have abandoned farming. This has affected food production nationwide. Until we address the current security situation, food scarcity will continue to escalate.”
Igwe went on: “It is not a matter of politics. The government has to address insecurity, they have to fix that because until that is done, we can’t be sure that people can go about their lawful businesses without fear and also engage in whatever worthy profession they eke a living from.”
In his sermon titled, ‘Kingdom service and its benefits in anticipation of the second coming of Christ, Very Reverend John Eze, said happenings in Nigeria “are part of the signs of the second coming of Christ. So, everyone should be prepared for this second coming.”
The cleric admonished Christians to serve God as much as they can to enjoy divine prosperity, good health and distinction in all endeavours.