Quit politics now, Bishop tells Anenih, Tukur, others

From CHIDI NNADI, Enugu
The Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese,Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma has
berated old politicians in the country, saying they are clogs in the
wheel of political progress in the country.
He also decried the attitude of the Enugu State Government in
returning the Catholic schools in the state to the mission and
gazetting them whilethose of the Anglican were not gazetted.
The bishop who expressed dismay over this situation in Enugu
yesterdayas part of preparations for the forthcoming second session of
the 15th Synod of the Enugu Anglican Communion slated to kick off at
St Bartholomew's Church, Asata, therefore, called for the banning of
persons above 65 years from holding political offices to save the
country's democracy.
He argued that the use of over-aged politicians rather than lead to
the entrenchment of democratic virtues, sees the "retired and tired
hands" that lead political parties, causing confusion and stagnating
the polity.
He noted that the crisis rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) was traceable to over-aged politicians, describing the Chairman
of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
ChiefTony Anenih, and the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, are
"expired politicians."
He, therefore, advised them to quit, adding that their continued stay
in office was the source of crisis in the party. Chukwuma said that 14
years in the current democratic march, Nigerians should learn how to
accept the realities of the time.
"We cannot continue to recycle politicians and people who ordinarily
should be in their homes and resting after serving their fatherland.
This is the major problem this democracy has faced and the sooner we
begin to accept the reality, the better for the country," he insisted.
Speaking on the theme of the Synod: "Overcoming the Challenges of the
Time," he said it was apt, following the many challenges facing the
country since independence, especially in the past 14 years.
His words: "The church is concerned because Nigeria is in a serious
dilemma. Politicians, who are not even sure that they would serve out
their remaining two years, are heating the polity. There is the
challenge of endemic corruption.
"The church is concerned about the security situation in the country
especially the killings by the Boko Haram in the North, kidnappings
and several others, we are concerned about the measures taken by the
Jonathan-led administration to tackle the situation and we will make
further suggestions on how we think he can strengthen his efforts.
"There are challenges facing our political parties, especially the PDP
which has been ruling in the past 14 years and yet we are not making
any progress. We want to deliberate on all these and come up with a
solution and way forward."
He said that poverty; unemployment and the near lack of confidence in
the judiciary were other challenges the country was grappling with,
saying the Synod would make far-reaching decisions and suggestions on
how the country could solve the problems.
The bishop commended President Goodluck Jonathan for declaring state
of emergency in some states in the North, even as he advocated for
more attention to security.