The South-East chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Monday reacted angrily to last week's Uke adoration tragedy which claimed the lives of at least 28 people and injured scores of others in Anambra state and banned all political campaigns in churches across the zone.
It also urged the Federal Government to immediately set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the remote causes of the incident, dismissing the inquiry panel set up by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra as amounting to the governor being a judge in his own case.
This is coming even as the All Progressives Congress (APC) also challenged Governor Obi and National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh to accept responsibility for the unfortunate development.
Chairman of CAN in South East and the Bishop of Enugu Anglican Diocese, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma who spoke with newsmen in Enugu said CAN was worried at the rate politicians have turned churches to campaign grounds insisting that it would no longer be condoned.
Chukwuma said that the tragic incident in Anambra is of great concern to CAN, adding that they sympathise with the relatives of the victims.
"It is my own duty as CAN chairman south east to ban all politicians from attending our churches with their political teams for campaigns. The church should also stay clear of partisan politics because there are different kinds of people in the church that belong to different political parties.
"So it's wrong to come into the church and begin to talk about manifestos and begin to campaign. It is not going to be acceptable any more because it causes commotion and disrespect to one another.
"We appeal to priests, pastors, Bishops, clergymen to please avoid politicians coming to use churches as campaign arena. This does not augur well for our spiritual growth.
"We therefore urge the Federal government to set up investigation panel to find out what actually happened because we feel very much worried. Since the state government is involved, I think there should a neutral body for the investigation," he said.
Chukwuma also noted that the way things are going in Anambra state is worrisome and urged the people of the state not to allow themselves to be bought over by moneybags.
"They should be very clear on who they want to rule the state and the wish of God should be upheld. So we hereby appeal to politicians to stay clear of our churches so that peace can reign and people be allowance to vote candidates of their choice. The mandate of the people must be respected in the coming election, stressed Bishop Chukwuma.
Source: Thisday
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