Chinedum Treasure
Labour Party (LP) candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District, Ven. Tochukwu Ikezue has described the ongoing killings of Christians in parts of the country as deeply troubling.
He called on Federal Government to take urgent steps to end the violence, especially in the Middle Belt region.
In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Communications of the TSI Senatorial Campaign Council, Comrade Uche Kalu, Ikezue commended the European Parliament for passing a resolution condemning the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
He noted that the European Parliament’s overwhelming 501-to-1 vote reflected the gravity of the crisis and the need for immediate intervention.
According to the Senatorial hopeful, communities in Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna, and parts of Taraba, Nasarawa and Niger States had continued to experience attacks, displacement and the destruction of places of worship, making the Middle Belt epicentre of the violence.
While condemning what he termed silence of many Christian members of the National Assembly, Ikezue expressed disappointment that some lawmakers seeking re-election have failed to publicly condemn the attacks and the destruction of churches.
He disclosed that the persistent violence was part of what motivated him to run for office, stating that he wants to be “a voice for the body of Christ in Nigeria.”
He said, “I call on Federal Government and the National Assembly to strengthen security in affected areas, ensure prompt investigation and prosecution of those behind religious violence, and provide more humanitarian aid to displaced persons.
“Silence in the face of bloodshed is not an option. As a nation founded on freedom of worship, Nigeria must defend the right of every citizen, Christian, Muslim or otherwise, to live without fear of persecution.”
The senatorial hopeful who also urged government to work with religious leaders, traditional rulers and civil society groups to address the root causes of the crisis and promote lasting peace, he called for the rebuilding of destroyed communities.
He pledged to maximize his position to push for better security, justice and the protection of religious freedom for all Nigerians if elected to represent Anambra Central in the Senate.
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