Fuel scarcity:Blame Buhari, not Kachikwu – Bishop

BY ENYIM ENYIM
ONITSHA – The Bishop of Niger West (Anglican Communion) in Anambra State, Rt Revd. Johnson Ekwe has picked holes with Nigerians who are attacking
the Minister of State, Petroleum and Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachichukwu over scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit in the country insisting the attack is misdirected.


Ekwe who spoke to reporters shortly after dedicating a new church building donated, Thursday, to the Anglican Church of Umuatuolu-Umueri Community of Anambra East by some illustrious sons of the community led by Senator Emma Anosike said it was wrong to ask the minister to resign over lapses in the supply of fuel.

This he said because President Buhari is the substantive minister of Petroleum from who Kachichukwu takes directives and should be held directly responsible.

He also took swipes at the activities of Fulani herdsmen who while carrying sophisticated AK 47 rifles, maim, rape women, rob and destroy farm lands only to get shielded from Federal Security Agencies when the victims of their nefarious activities confront them.

He cited a recent incident at Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu Satte where two women were raped and killed by the herdsmen who also destroyed their farm lands.

But when confronted by the owners of the farm lands, the police at Zone 9 Umuahia ironically came and arrested about 76 farmers, adding that they were getting protection from the Federal Government.

The Bishop said his worry and that of any sane Nigerian is that the activities of these herdsmen directly impinge on both national and international security and wondered who armed the herdsmen with such sophisticated weapons
.
“The whole thing borders on national security. Security of Nigerians. The country is becoming volatile. What we are talking about here is national and international security as it’s relates to cattle herdsmen. The question is, who has armed them with sophisticated weapons as AK47.

“Some days ago they raped and killed two people in Awgu in Enugu State and when the people talked; they invited the police from Zone 9, Umuahia to protect them”, he said, adding that ironically when the policemen came they arrested 76 farmers from Awgu Community and let herdsmen go scot free.

The Bishop also picked holes with the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for his discriminatory policies against Christians in his state and beckoned on the Federal Government to call him to order.

He described the law made by the Kaduna State Government banning Christians from preaching or spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the state as obnoxious and sentimental, stressing that the Church is averse to religious bigotry.

He further alleged that some churches had been marked for demolition in Kaduna State by the state government.