A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obidimma, has urged the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and his supporters to work toward the peace of a united Nigeria.
Obidimma, the Parish Priest of Blessed Iwene Tansi, Umudioka, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, gave the advice when Kanu led his members on a thank you visit to him on Monday.
The cleric, also the Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, condemned group’s no-election campaign in Anambra State.
He advised them to ensure there was no breech of peace in whatever they do, adding that they should stop the call for the disintegration of the country.
The priest, who had a closed door meeting with Kanu, told newsmen that he had fruitful discussion with him on issues of general concern and the way forward.
He said he warned Kanu on the campaign to boycott the November 18 Anambra State governorship election.
Obidimma said: “For me, it will be more problematic to say that there won’t be any election in Anambra.
“It is like somebody firing gun on his toes.
“Christ came into the world and reincarnated the message of peace and that was why I advised Kanu to uphold peace following the tensions everywhere in the country.
“Let love lead all that we do.
“I advised him to do anything within his power to forestall peace.
“Even in their agitation, let there be prudence.”
The cleric expressed support for the restructuring of Nigeria and criticised the inequity in distribution of the nation’s wealth at the detriment of some sections of the country.
Obidimma said: “In our country Nigeria, it is certain that there is marginalisation, nepotism and tribalism.
“We are one Nigeria but some people are being marginalised and that is why we have all these agitations.
“But in everything, let there be prudence as we also pray for divine intervention.
“Igbos are clamouring for Biafra, but an average Igbo man is selfish in nature and the question is: how matured are we to handle our affairs?
“Where are the Igbo cabals and stakeholders like Nnia Nwodo, Peter Obi, Emeka Anyaoku, Ifeanyi Ubah, Prof. Charles Soludo, Emmanuel Iwuanwaywu and many others.
“There has to be a unifying umbrella where they will gather and register their protest.”
Obidimma thanked God for President Muhammadu Buhari’s safe return and quick recovery, and called on him to look into agitations bedeviling the nation and mindless killings.
He said: “We thank God for Buhari’s return and the entire ministry has been praying for his safe return.
“Nobody will wish a fellow human being dead, but the President should know that Nigerians love him.”
Kanu did not speak after the meeting.
He was in Umudioka to thank Obimma for his prayer and lending his voice to the voiceless in the South East.
Anambra 2017: Cleric warns IPOB on no-election campaign
