Where is Our Consitution?

The Rt. Rev. Professor Emmanuel Iheagwam, the Bishop of Egbu Diocese (Anglican Communion)

By +Emmanuel Iheagwam
Nigeria and the Airline Terror Plot: With the implication of a Nigerian in the recently botched airline terror plot which has been described as “professionally planned but amateurishly executed”, the Nigerian nation has earned for herself a serious MINUS to her rebranding project. We plead with the outside world not to brand Nigeria a terrorist nation and not to regard every Nigerian as a terrorist on account of this isolated incident. The Federal Government should co-operate with world anti-terror agencies to get to the root of that airline terror plot and to ensure that Nigerians are not involved in any global terrorist attacks in future.
The Nigerian Constitution: Nigeria is blessed with very many highly educated people. But many atimes we behave like illiterates by how we reason, what we say, and what we do. The issue of Mr. President’s ill-health and hospitalisation outside the Country, and the issue of the Vice-President acting or not acting as President should not have generated this level of unnecessary political heat. Any group that feels that this country can be run without recourse to the constitution is merely living in illusory. It is sad that those who swore to uphold the constitution are the very people who contravene its provisions. We urge the politicians and all to be guided by the National constitution in all their actions that impinge on the stability and unity of the Nation.
Call on the Petroleum Minister-Dr.Lukman to resign: Our political elites have always been rightly accused of being responsible for the woes of our Nation. Some of them have become such sacred cows that they have become institutions by themselves. They are above the laws of the nation and have no respect/regard for duly constituted authorities. If the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Rilwanu Lukman actually traveled to Vienna, Austria for the Christmas and New Year vacation, after Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan had directed that he and his colleagues in the Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Power should not go on break but stay back to tackle the lingering fuel and power crises, the Minister is guilty of insubordination and should therefore resign. For such a highly regarded and respected person as Dr Lukman to have treated both the office and person of Vice President Jonathan with disdain, he should be disciplined. He should be relieved of his portfolio.
South-East Geo-political Zone and State Creation: South-East zone has the least number(5) of states in the whole federation. Other zones have 6 or 7 each. While South-East is asking for just one additional state, others that have 6 or 7 are asking for more, we would still have the least. We urge people of the South-East Zone to be bold enough to ask for additional two or more states to be created.
Anambra State Governorship Election and Other National Elections: The February 6, 2010 election in Anambra State is of interest not only to the Anambra people but to all Nigerians as well as the outside world. Anambra people should be allowed to choose their governor in a very free and fair election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure no bias in favour of any of the contestants or political parties. We call on political office seekers wishing to stand for election in 2011 to show a high standard of maturity and civility in their campaigns. They should focus on issues rather than attack personalities to run them down. The campaigns should be devoid of violence.
We recommend radio and/or television debates among contestants to enable the electorates assess them properly.

Excerpts from a New Year message delivered by The Rt. Rev. Professor Emmanuel Iheagwam, the Bishop of Egbu Diocese (Anglican Communion)