…. urge  free and fair elections, issue-based campaigns ahead 2027 elections

The Spiritual Advisory Council (SAC) of Christ Church, Port Harcourt, has urged the Federal and State governments to intensify efforts to tackle the worsening economic hardship and insecurity confronting Nigerians.

The council also condemned what it described as the “increasingly unrestrained ostentatious display of affluence” by public servants and members of the political class, calling for greater accountability, selflessness and efficiency in public service.

These were contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the 10th meeting of the SAC of Christ Church, Port Harcourt, held at the weekend, under the theme, “Manifesting His Glory,” drawn from Psalm 97:6.

The SAC, comprising leaders of the Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, expressed grave concern over the persistent recurrence of kidnappings and violent crimes across the country.

On the economy, the SAC described the prevailing situation as severe and unfortunate, noting that the hardship had contributed to the country’s security challenges.

It said: “It has rarely been this difficult in our nation and for her citizens during peace time,” urging the Federal and State governments to ensure that recently announced measures aimed at reducing transportation and food costs were genuinely and evenly implemented.

The council further called on governments at all levels to do more to cushion the impact of the economic crisis, which it described as “most excruciating and increasingly unbearable” for the majority of Nigerians.

The church leaders also expressed concern over the conduct of public officials and politicians, particularly what they described as excessive displays of wealth amid widespread hardship.

They called for “moral and ethical rearmament,” greater propriety in public and private conduct, accountability and improved efficiency in public service delivery, free from waste and corruption.

On  the 2027 general elections, the SAC urged the government to ensure free and fair elections while calling on politicians to conduct peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
The council also encouraged citizens, particularly Christians, to actively participate in the political process and vote for candidates capable of delivering good governance at all levels.

The current chairman of the SAC is His Eminence, Dr Ekpeyong Nyong Akpanika, the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. Other members include ;His Grace, the Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, Primate of the Church of Nigeria and His Eminence, Dr Oliver Ali Abah, Prelate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria.

Dr Akpanika and Most Rev Ndukuba attended the 10th SAC while Dr Abah was represented by Most Rev Otuekong Ukut, Archbishop-Elect of the Methodist Archdiocese of Calabar.

While commending the government, armed forces and other security agencies for recent gains in the fight against insecurity, the council urged them to “rise to the occasion” and urgently address the seemingly intractable kidnapping crisis.

The communique, signed by His Eminence, The Most Rev’d Ekpenyong Nyong Akpanika, Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria and Chairman of the 10th SAC of Christ Church, Port Harcourt, and Elder Deinabo Tennyson Horsfall, Secretary of the 10th SAC, welcomed the Federal Government’s move to restructure the policing system through a proposed dual policing framework involving state and federal police commands.

According to the council, the initiative could produce a more localised and effective policing system if properly implemented.

On Rivers State, the council congratulated the state’s leadership and people on what it described as the restoration of constitutional order, while praying for continued peace and progress in the state.

The SAC meeting also considered the spiritual and physical development of Christ Church, commending the church leadership and new ministers for what it described as a smooth transition and growing unity within the congregation.

It encouraged the church to strengthen its support for young people, particularly through skills acquisition programmes, and endorsed the church’s Food Bank initiative for supporting needy members and people in the wider community.

The church fathers, in their concluding exhortation, urged Christians to remain steadfast in faith and continue praying for the nation, while advocating stronger Christian moral and spiritual upbringing for children and young people.

They called for the promotion of hard work, honesty, perseverance and patriotism, as well as an end to prejudice, hatred, violence and bloodshed.

The council declared that the current difficult period would pass and expressed hope for renewed prosperity in Nigeria.

Christ Church is an ecumenical church founded in 1938. It has three associating churches: Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN) and the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria (PCN). The Spiritual Advisory Council  (SAC) is the Church’s apex spiritual authority.