NIGERIA: Blast Meant to Trigger Coup

[david at virtueonline.org]

NIGERIA: Blast Meant to Trigger Coup

By Abdulkadir Badsha Mukhtar 
http://allafrica.com/stories/201101031022.html 
January 3, 2011

 Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, has described the series of bomb attacks in the country as an attempt to force military to take over before the forthcoming general elections.

Okoh, who made the statement weekend at the New Year special service held in Abuja, said it is unfortunate that each time "We are about to experience joy in this nation, some people decide to use that time to throw a spanner in the wheel of progress."

He said it was a very sad commentary on the country as a nation, and recapping also the Independence Day blast, Bishop said "as we are about to enter the New Year, which signals a new beginning for our nation, another bomb blast occurs, more so in the military barracks."

Condemning the blast, the bishop said people behind it are trying to give an impression of loss of control and general state of insecurity in the country, perhaps so that the military can take over power before the nation holds her next election. "This may be their plan to achieve a change of government."

The bishop also called on the president and Nigerian people not to be shaken by these acts but work towards unraveling those behind the attacks with a view to making them face the full wrath of the law.

*****

NIGERIA: Check spate of bombings now, warns Anglican bishop

By Chidi Nkwopara, OWERRI 
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/01/check-spate-of-bombings-now-warns-anglican-bishop/ News 
Jan 3, 2011

Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Professor Emmanuel U. Iheagwam, has warned that "the recent introduction of bombing as a means of settling religious and/or political misunderstandings is now assuming alarming proportions and must be checked".

The fiery Anglican cleric made his feelings known in a statement he issued and made available to Vanguard in Owerri, in reaction to the recent reported cases of bomb blasts in parts of Nigeria.

"We are good at catching up fast with the ills of the developed countries while their good ones elude us. 

We condemn in strong terms the recent dastardly killings in Jos and Borno and urge the federal government to ferret out and punish the perpetrators", Professor Iheagwam pleaded.

It was his considered opinion that it was not enough for government to quickly set up panels to look into immediate and remote causes of crises only to consign their reports to the dustbin.

While insisting that panel recommendations should be made public and implemented, the bishop also fumed politicians have always been the main problem of Nigeria in times of elections.

"We again urge them to put the interest of the nation far and above their selfish ambition and greed, as well as guard against incendiary utterances", Iheagwam stated.