Chinedum Elekwachi
Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese in Anambra state, Rt Rev Ephraim Ikeakor on Saturday faulted President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial nominee list.
He said certain names in the list appeared to be compensation for assistance they rendered to his government during the 2023 election.
Speaking during Anambra Anglican Prayer Rally 2025, the Prelate specifically mentioned immediate past Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmoud Yakubu and Reno Omokri saying their roles in the poll might have informed the inclusion of their names.
He said, “Nigeria has capacity in terms of human resources. Why should someone just come out of INEC last month and this month his name appears on ambassadorial lists. That’s not healthy for us.
“Even if he’s qualified, which I don’t know, the timing and the circumstances are very wrong.
“You also look at Reno Omokri and his role in the election, how he kept on attacking one particular candidate, Peter Obi on behalf of APC. Now he’s rewarded.
“What was the achievements of former governors of Enugu and Abia states and so many of them?. My concern is the criteria he used in the selection.
Competence above partisan loyalty
“We must learn to deploy competence and capacity, not compensation for partisan loyalty in our appointments.
One Nigeria’s growing insecurity, Ikeakor lamented nation’s helpless situation, insisting on prayers as the best option.
He said the situation was worsened by infiltration of security apparatus, canvassing for foreign assistance.
“The government doesn’t seem to be helpless, but helpless. Our army have been infiltrated and compromised. Same with the Police.
“Every sane Nigerian knows they can’t successfully tackle insecurity matters now.
“First thing they need to do is to admit they are incapable of handling the situation. Secondly, we need external assistance. That’s basic.
“Imagine a country where a kidnapper or terrorist will gather people and be demanding ransom through phone.
“Yet, they can’t be tracked. It’s laughable. Meanwhile, it’s the same nation that assisted Liberia through ECOMOG.
Sovereign nationhood
The Prelate further wondered, “Now, America wants to help us and we’re talking about sovereign nation. What is sovereign about us?
“Imagine a Brigadier General ambushed and killed and nobody is talking. A group of students being carried away and are not intercepted?
“And when help was sent from the military, a call was made and the troup withdrew so the children could be carried away? We need external help,” he added.
On calls for Trump’s intervention, Ikeakor said, “God can use anybody. If God wants to use Trump, He can.
“But you know, nobody comes to help without his own interest. But that’s inferior to the insecurity situation we find ourselves.
“Nigeria currently looks like a jungle. Trump knows what he did in Syria, and Iran. So if he comes, definitely intelligent gathering will be superb.
“They know where these terrorists are and how to get them. So if America will step in, I think there will be solution.
Speaking on the theme of the prayer rally, “For the weapons of our warfare is not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds”, the Bishop stressed the place of prayers in the life of christians.
God’s ultimate power
“Today’s message is God is the ultimate power and there’s no situation he can’t give us victory in; especially now we’ve seen that our weapons of warfare has failed us, our security agencies have failed.
“That’s why we must resort to the spiritual weapons of prayers. Don’t be deceived that prayer doesn’t work.
“Nigeria should never give in to the intimidation and harassment that prayer doesn’t work. Our greatest option now is prayers and trust in God and what he can do.”
Archbishop, Province of Niger and Bishop, Diocese of Awka, Most Rev Ibezim urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and alert amidst growing insecurity.
He said that while ultimate safety is in God’s hands, the citizens have duty to act responsibly and promptly report suspicious activity.
