The Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Archbishop of the Province of Niger Delta, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, has described as unfortunate the lingering face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Kattey, who is also the Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, stated this while delivering his 2014 presidential address/Archbishop’s charge at the first session of the seventh synod of the Diocese, held at the Saint Barnabas’ Church, Elekahia, Port Harcourt.
He said there seems to be no end in sight on the face-off between Jonathan and Amaechi, and called on Nigerians not to allow the crisis deepen even though many people have taken sides to the matter.
The Archbishop said: “The rift between President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi is rather unfortunate; unfortunate in the sense that it has polarised not only our Rivers State, but the nation at several levels.
“This crisis is worsening by the day and there is no sight to its end. Our worry is that where little thing crippled in, bigger things are likely to follow if not checked. We recall that the Western crisis in 1964 and 1966 started like a child’s play. One thing led to another and the crisis grew into a full-blown war that wasted many lives.
“We should not allow the President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi’s war to deepen even though many people have taken sides to the matter. The play game of blackmail as currently ignited on either side of the divide is another dimension added to the crisis.”
He called on all concerned and the political class to resolve the crisis in the interest of the nation.
Kattey also commended Jonathan for the bold step in convening the ongoing National Conference, which will enable Nigerians dialogue over their differences and chart a new course for a national rebirth, urged the delegates and well-meaning Nigerians not to use the platform to divide the nation, but to strengthen it.
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