Anglican Church blows hot over EFCC’s ‘witch-hunt’ of Ekweremadu

The Enugu Diocese of the Anglican Communion has warned the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to stop "witch-hunting" the
Deputy President of Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.

The Church asserted that the lawmaker has had no trace of corruption
since his political life.

According to the Church, what agencies of the Federal Government were
doing to the Enugu-born politician was intimidation and an extension
of the emasculation of the Eastern region, which if stretched further
could result in the dismemberment of Nigeria.

The Church said this on Sunday evening when it paid a solidarity visit
to the Deputy Senate President in Enugu.

The Church delegation comprised the Archbishop of Enugu Province and
Bishop of Enugu Diocese (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel
Olisa Chukwuma, Archdeacons and Canons of the Province.

Leader of the delegation, Archbishop Chukwuma said: "We are here to
tell the world that you are a true child of God who nobody should find
a way to rubbish.

"As far as we are concerned with your credibility and integrity, we
have not heard since you started your journey as the local government
chairman, moving to becoming Chief of Staff, Secretary to the
Government of Enugu State to what you are now, there is no record, and
nobody has ever heard that you stole money anywhere.

"When we heard the list of those, up till now, published of those who
embezzled money in the 2015 election, we didn't find your name there
and so we are embarrassed when they say EFCC.

"What is EFCC looking for? EFCC should please leave Ekweremadu alone
because his name was never mentioned anywhere.

"We feel that this is a vindictive act; a jealous spirit against the
leadership of the Igbo politicians and against us as Christians. EFCC
should stop intimidating people if we are going to have a good
democracy in this country. They should stop this idea of
witch-hunting.

"In the government of Buhari are those they should witch-hunt and
nobody can force you to join APC if that is what they want.

"You have been a stakeholder in PDP and you have remained firm; you
have not cross-carpeted and you will never cross-carpet and so they
should leave you alone.

"As far as we are concerned as the Anglican Church, we stand behind
you. We call on the Federal Government to leave Senator Ike Ekweremadu
alone and stop witch-hunting him for nothing.

"This is witch-hunting and we have no apology for the Federal
Government. But what we say is that they leave us alone. All we want
is peace in Nigeria, and you cannot continue to stand firm in fighting
for the unity of Nigeria and somebody is trying to intimidate you.

"You are a Senator that has done very well in his senatorial zone and
is in constant touch with his constituency. Other senators should
emulate you. We will very much support you in prayers and we are proud
of you.

"If anybody touches you, they are touching the eyes of God; they are
touching the eyes of Ndi'Igbo and we shall not take it for granted.
They should allow peace to reign and Mr. President should please warn
the security people. The security people should please know where to
go. Benue and Plateau have been burning and nobody has gone there to
lay siege.

"All the defections are a result of people saying they are tired of
this government. It is a negative report. Jonathan withdrew and exited
for peace to reign.

"There is no peace, there is no security, the economy is bad, there is
no employment, and the appointments in this government are all
northern and northern. We are being marginalised and we cannot stop
saying it.

"South East is being marginalized and now it is victimizing our own
very best person, we will not take it.

"We pray that God Almighty will touch their hearts because if care is
not taken, the way things are going now will result into a serious,
not only religious war, but a serious war that will never make Nigeria
to be united.

"So, to save Nigeria, we must renegotiate it and restructuring must
come. That is where we stand for peace to reign.

"We appeal to Mr. President, the security agencies and the EFCC to
leave Senator Ekweremadu alone; they should leave our people alone.
South East is being marginalised and we are crying and saying please,
give us our due reward, Nigeria belongs to all of us. If not, then let
us go back to our places and let us stay on our own."