Synod Cautions Politicians Against Retarding Benue’s Development

The 2023 Synod of the All Nations Evangelical Ministry has appealed to political leaders in Benue State not to allow their political differences to retard the development of the state.

The general overseer of the church and president of Christian Association of Clergies, Archbishop Yimam Orkwar, who made the appeal, frowned at the recent political actions of certain individuals and party leaders and admonished them to desist from such acts in the interest of the development of the state.

In a communique the church issued at the end of the 3rd quarter of 2023 Synod in Makurdi, the state capital, the participants reiterated the need for President Bola Tinubu to step up efforts at addressing the escalating security challenges across the country.

It said, “Synod is of the firm view that respect for the rule of law and protection of the rights of citizens is fundamental and will help in enhancing peaceful co-existence as well as the rising cases of religious intolerance across the country.”

The communique condemned the continuous incarceration of one Rhoda Jatau for 18 months in Bauchi and called for her immediate release.

 “Synod also condemned the act of terrorism that led to the hostilities between Israel and Hamas and prayed for God’s intervention even calling for the protection and upholding of the rights of women, children and other persons,” the communique reads in part.

The synod called for sustained prayers by Christians to ensure that peace return to Sankera and other parts of Benue as well as political stability in the state.

On recent foundation laying for cluster settlements for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue, Dr Orkwar described it as a good development if the IDPs were not leaving their ancestral homes for pastoralists.