Convener of Indigenous People of Nigeria, Mazi Nnamdi Dickson Iroegbu has reacted to the recent sermon by Pastor Tunde Bakare, the General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church for stating that the Igbo were a cursed people and could not rule Nigeria yet.
The clergyman had declared that Igbo people killed former Nigerian Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and as a result were cursed. Bakare stated that Igbo’s can never preside over Nigeria and made attempts to reverse the curse.
In a staement sent to our correspondent by Mazi Iroegbu, he describes Tunder Bakare’s sermon as inciting, disgusting and disgraceful.
Part of the statement read:
“I am saddened that clergymen are using the pulpit to divide Nigeria. Are Nigerians cursed or are we the cause? We are the cause of every ill in Nigeria. How can Pastor Bakare give a narrative that is hate filled against the south east. How can he claim that Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was killed by Igbo soldiers in Imo State and alcohol poured on his head. I am ashamed as a christian and an ardent follower of Pastor Bakare. The narative is very inciting, disgusting and disgraceful. I am ashamed to watch the video of that sermon. I am disappointed that APC and PDP are toying with the corporate existence of Nigeria. The leaders of our land are showing so much greed for power in Nigeria. I want to caution our leaders to ensure that the next president of Nigeria must come from the south east geopolitical zone. Pastor Tunder Bakare must be held accountable for his hate speech and for anything that happens to any Igbo man in Nigeria. It is not too late to do the right thing. Power must shift to the south east despite Bakare’s false narative. It is the antidote to secession calls, hunger, injustice, insecurity in the country. This is a clarion call to leaders of note to save Nigeria and ensure that power shifts to the south east.”
Watch video of Tunde Bakare sermon: