Defection by politicians is foolishness, says Anglican Bishop

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By Madu Obi

The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Amichi, Anambra State, Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor, has lambasted Nigerian politicians who easily defect to opposition parties, describing such actions as foolish.

Speaking during a pre- synod meeting at Immanuel Church, Akwaihedi in Nnewi South local government area, Bishop Ikeakor said it is such politicians that prioritize their personal interests over the welfare of the masses.

According to him, the masses should not expect any positive change in governance from them, as they have no regard for the people they lead.

He also described many Nigerian leaders as lacking clear-cut political ideology, except to serve their personal interests.

On the current defection of politicians to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ikeakor said it shows they are there for business, as their only interest is to grab power to loot against the provision of dividends of democracy for the people who voted them to power.

He said: "We have businessmen in politics in Nigeria; we don't have career politicians, we have politicians without political ideology in Nigeria. It is unfortunate that we have looters whom we the masses mistake for political leaders in Nigeria.

Nigeria under the present administration does not have a direction. As a person, I don't know where we are heading for, and we have politicians who don't care about the masses.

You should not be surprised. You will only be surprised if you don't understand Nigerian politics. We don't have career politicians, we have businessmen politicians."

The Bishop also criticized the National Assembly, describing its members as "the most callous Nigerians."

He prayed that God would turn the hearts of Nigerian leaders and questioned the morality of politicians who are already campaigning for re-election barely two years into their first term.