Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has, again, raised the alarm over the worsening state of the nation characterised by wanton destruction of lives and property.
Ekweremadu warned that the nation was fast falling apart and burning to death, but said that the state of the nation, though frightening, was still redeemable.
He spoke on Thursday at the 10th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Umuahia themed “Let us Rebuild and End this Reproach”.
Delivering the Synod lecture entitled “The Role of the Christian Politician in Nation-building”, the Senator, who was represented by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Hon. Alex Chiedozie Ogbonnia, said the country was at crossroads and it was high time leaders urgently rescued the nation.
“Nigeria is burning, literally and figuratively. Put even more appropriately, we are at that juncture where we must rebuild or risk perishing. But God forbids that we perish”.
Senator Ekweremadu regretted that reports of bloodletting, mass killing, and kidnap for ransom had become the daily realities of Nigerians, adding hunger was on the increase because insecurity had dislodged Nigerians from their legitimate businesses and farms.
“Hunger has enveloped our land because farmers cannot go to their farms. They are either killed or raped by arm-bearing militias or have their throats slit like rams as we witnessed in Zabarmari village in Borno state.
“The schools are no longer safe as they have been turned to sports ground by bandits, who kidnap, rape, and kill”.
Ekweremadu equally advised that only socio-economic and political justice could effectively address the frustrations and separatist tendencies and rhetoric across the nation.
“The country is as divided and disjointed as never in our history. Ethno-religious conflagrations and killings at the slightest provocations have become a norm rather than an exception. Agitations fuelled by palpable social and political injustice pervade the land, as many parts now want out of the union than be slaves and second class citizens in a place that is supposed to be their fatherland.
“We cannot build or rebuild a nation in the absence of social, political, and economic justice. How do you describe a situation where palpable double standard and open marginalisation of the the South East has been raised to a state policy?
“We must show every part of the country a sense of justice because the truth is that a man, who is unjustly treated, will never be genuinely interested in peace. The shortest path to peace is justice”, he stated.
The lawmaker, however, said the situation was not irredeemable, urging the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to decentralise the policing system and seek help from more experienced and resourced nations.
“This is not a time to apportion blames, but a time for sober reflection. The Church and the Christian politicians, and all Nigerians must rise and stand in the gap. We must take urgent steps to reclaim our land and defend our inheritance because no nation in the world can contain Nigeria.
“This administration must begin to listen, starting by taking urgent steps to decentralise policing to enable every constituent part to take charge of the security of lives and property in its jurisdictions. That is the least we can do, and the most urgent step we must take at the moment.
Meanwhile, in his charge, the Anglican Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Obijuru Ibeabuchi, called on the Christian faithful and all Nigerians to join hands to rebuild the nation through prayers and good work.