Nigerian church leaders appeal for peace amid political turmoil

Published: 2006-10-24

LAGOS, Nigeria (CNS) -- Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie of Lagos and Bishop Hilary Odili Okeke of Nnewi have appealed for peace amid political turmoil in Nigerian states. The two church leaders spoke at an Oct. 21 ceremony in Lagos marking the third anniversary of Cardinal Okogie's elevation to cardinal. The cardinal expressed concern about political events in Nigeria. He said the federal government was weak and asked what could be expected of the states if the federal government does not respect the law. Cardinal Okogie called Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo's recent decisions unfortunate, but said Nigerians should abide by the decisions. On Oct. 19, legislators in Ekiti state impeached Gov. Ayo Fayose after a judicial panel found him guilty of using state funds for personal accounts. However, the verdict was issued after the legislators replaced the judge who headed the panel, which Obasanjo said was unconstitutional. Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Ekiti and suspended the legislature, Fayose and his deputy, as well as Friday Aderemi, a former legislator claiming to be governor. The president declared a state of emergency and appointed Tunji Olurin, a retired army general, as the state's administrator.

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