From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Calabar has condemned the ongoing State of Emergency in Rivers State.
The Church also raised concerns about the ongoing defections in the country saying it does not augur well for democracy in Nigeria.
This was made known in a communique issued at the end of the 49th Annual Synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria Diocese of Calabar held at Immanuel Circuit in Calabar.
The communique was signed by ArchBishop of Calabar His Grace Most Rev. Chimezuo Nwankpa, Lay President Sir Edet Attih and Chairman communique committee Elder Offiong Unoh.
The Synod “condemned the truncation of democracy in Rivers State by the recent declaration of the state of Emergency and called for the immediate restoration to office of the governor and others who were democratically elected.
“This ugly trend of one party being allowed to wield absolute power will result in a one party state and does not augur well for true democracy”, the communique read.
The synod also observed the high crime rate in the country and the economic meltdown and said the government should do more in addressing these challenges.
It acknowledged some ongoing infrastructure projects at the federal, state and local levels and called for increased budgetary allocation to the health sector and universal health coverage to cater for the vulnerable.