For the sake of peace and progress, Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution have appealed to those behind the killings in the south east to stop before the zone descends to anarchy, which will affect other parts of the country.
The religious leaders believe there are other options besides violence, senseless killings and over militarization of the zone.
These and others they made known in a statement captioned restore trust, confidence and calm in the south east Nigeria, a passionate plea by the Christian Religious Leaders of South East Nigeria.
Archbishop C.R Opoko
The statement signed by Catholic archbishop of Owerri, Most Reverend Anthony Obinna, Past Principal Clerk, Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Uma Onwuma, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Reverend Chibuzo Opoko, Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Reverend Velarian Okeke and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Obi Onubugo, urged all to please join hands to restore trust, confidence and calm in the south east Nigeria. They emphasized that growth and development cannot be achieved through intimidation, mass murder and destruction.
Most Rev Anthony Obinna
The Christian Religious Leaders however called on the federal government to address the underlying issues attracting agitations including that of IPOB namely the desire for equity, fairness and good governance in Nigeria in order to eliminate or at least minimize the separatist agitations in the country.
Most Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma
They equally appealed to political leaders in the south east to see themselves as the representatives of the people and invest all available resources in security, development of the region and creation of jobs.
