Nigerian Leaders Urged To Repent of Actions Capable of Backwardness

Nigerian leaders have been urged to repent and purge themselves of actions and decisions that could plunge the country into backwardness.

Governor Godswill Akpabio who made the call Wednesday when the National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor paid him a courtesy visit at Governor's Lodge, Uyo, said past and present leaders should repent of their actions that are responsible for the predicament in the country.

Akpabio stated ''All the leaders in Nigeria, both past and present, must repent. We must purge ourselves of actions that can lead to war. We must collectively come together to face the challenges we are facing''.

He recalled that after the Nigerian civil war, there were three R's (Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation) in which most people expected true reconciliation to have started from the then Eastern Region, yet the reconciliation started from the then Western Region, noting "If Nigeria had done true reconciliation, the situation we are experiencing today would not have arisen".

He remarked that the actions by the leaders then resulted in a situation where some people in other regions were impoverished while others in other regions grew fatter, saying "Nigerian leaders in the past have over the years spent many years suppressing some sections of the country. And you cannot hold down a man without staying down with him. It’s time to allow all sections to rise". The Governor condemned injustice perpetrated by some past leadership which, according to him, have resulted in the present security challenges in the country.

The CAN President, Pastor Oritsejafor said due the evidence of performance and love for God, he has come to appreciate the Governor and the state. Pastor Oritsejafor who was accompanied by Primate Nicholas Oko of Anglican Church of Nigeria and Primate Emmanuel J. Udofia of The African Church of Nigeria, among others, commended Akpabio for donating funds towards the building of CAN headquarters in Abuja and for maintaining a cordial working relationship with the church in the state.

"You are a blessing not only to Akwa Ibom but also to Nigeria. People inspire people and you are an inspiration to others. Nigeria could be a better place if everybody who has opportunity to lead can desire to transform the place he presides over", he noted.