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By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
A renowned Anglican cleric and a social commentator, Rev. Joseph Gentle Omohwo Imudje, the vicar of St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Ugbolokposo, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State has sued for peace and unity in Nigeria, noting that Nigeria needs restructuring.
The man of God made this call recently during a media chat with our correspondent in his vicarage at Warri, while speaking on different national issues bothering on insecurity and restructuring of the country.
Rev. Imudje said, “Whatever Nigeria and her people are passing through today is as a result of the nonchalant attitude of our leaders in disobeying the creator of this country, that’s Jehovah God.
“Today, there are some leaders in this country that are taking the position of God. They made themselves demi-gods that nobody can question. This is why Nigerians are dying in silence, because if you dare question their policies and programmes, you will either find yourself in prison or in kidnappers’ den.
“On the issue of insecurity in this country; if you look carefully at the spate of kidnappings and killings around the country, you will know that the country is no longer safe to live. Yet, in all these daily reports with clear evidences, the Federal Government is doing nothing to curtail this menace. This is why the Federal Government is accused of being the sponsors of these alleged kidnappers.
“I want to advise President (Muhammadu) Buhari to emulate his Chadian counterpart. Though he’s dead now, the man died a saviour to his people and also as a gallant soldier, even in a war front. This is what a good leader is supposed to do for his people. In our case, whenever there are problems in the country, the president and his cabinet would remain silent and mute over the problems of the country. It’s very disheartening for Nigeria as a country to find herself in this mess. All these are caused as a result of a failed leadership. Leaders are supposed to be sacrificial and selfless in their services to humanity.”
Speaking on the issue of restructuring of the country, the radio commentator and public affairs analyst said, “We really need peace and unity in this country. Without peace and unity, no meaningful development can take place in the country. To me, the only solution to the myriad of problems bedeviling this country today is to go back to our former system of government that is regional government.
“In fact, I’m one of the advocates of restructuring of this country. Let this country be regionalized as of old. If we go back to the system of regional government, then we can be said to be practising true federalism. This is the best system of government in Nigeria since we are vast and diverse in tribes and ethnicity. When we embark on this regional government, then the regions are to remit to the central government at Abuja. This is what is done in vast and highly populated countries of the world.”
Speaking further, the Anglican priest said, “As it’s now, we are heavily oppressed through the federal might and federal character that has been dominated by the Northern hegemony. The Northern cabal has seized the opportunity of their population to grab power from us since we have being in this unprofitable project known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And you know, those that have power in their hands have the final decision and judgement on national issues.
“For instance, the Niger-Delta region is the producer of oil and gas in this country. But you can agree with me that almost all the oil and gas facilities in this region virtually belong to the northerners. They are the owners and management team of major oil companies in the country. So we are like the goose that lays the golden eggs, yet she doesn’t eat from it. Under our watchful eyes, these northerners will come to our various communities to pack our God given natural resources and use the proceeds to develop their communities and regions because they are more populated than us. These and many more are the reasons why I’m clamouring for the restructuring of this country,” he said.
