Anglican Bishop Warns Nigeria Is “Bleeding to Death” as Hunger, Insecurity, and Corruption Spiral, Decries Leaders’ Insensitivity

 

Amichi, Anambra State – At a time when Nigeria faces one of its most challenging periods in recent history, the Diocese of Amichi under the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has delivered a blistering critique of the country’s leadership, describing a nation in deep crisis and urgently in need of reawakening.

Speaking at the Second Session of the 6th Synod of the Diocese, held at Immanuel Anglican Church, Akwaihedi, the Bishop of Amichi, Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor, painted a bleak picture of a country brimming with natural wealth yet suffocating under misrule, corruption, and systemic decay.

Using the platform of his Presidential Address, the Bishop did not mince words. He described Nigeria as “bleeding to death,” attributing the crisis to the arrogance, greed, and moral bankruptcy of the nation's political elite. According to him, these leaders have shown no remorse while the population suffers extreme hunger, rising joblessness, collapsing institutions, and unchecked insecurity.

While addressing clergy and lay representatives, Bishop Ikeakor anchored his message on the Synod’s theme, “Heathens in Church Uniform: Call for Re-evangelisation and Proper Discipline of Church Members.” The theme itself, he explained, reflects not just issues within the church but mirrors a nation where integrity and accountability are vanishing traits, both in the sacred and secular spaces.

Across the nation, Bishop Ikeakor said, Nigerians are contending with “weaponized poverty” that is deliberately maintained to keep the masses subdued and easily manipulated. Despite being the fifth-largest oil-producing country in the world, Nigeria has been reduced to a place where daily survival is a struggle for millions.

He further castigated the country's leaders, describing many of them as “heartless, wicked, insensitive, and desperate.” These individuals, he alleged, exploit the suffering of the common man for political gain, showing no intention to address the nation’s glaring problems.

The Bishop condemned the lack of investment in critical sectors, pointing to the nation’s failing healthcare, disjointed educational system, and spiraling inflation as evidence of leadership failure. He said that rather than focus on rebuilding a crumbling state, politicians have begun premature campaigns and endorsements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, despite a lack of visible progress under his administration.

“What exactly has this administration achieved to justify such shameless political flattery?” Bishop Ikeakor asked. “Our hospitals are turning away patients for lack of basic equipment, courts are no longer trusted by the people, and the legislature acts like a puppet in the hands of the executive. Meanwhile, Nigerians are being butchered in broad daylight, and the President has yet to utter a strong word.”

Citing numerous attacks in states like Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, and Enugu, the Bishop questioned the continued silence of the Commander-in-Chief in the face of growing bloodshed. He demanded decisive action rather than indifference, insisting that leadership must be anchored in compassion and responsibility.

Beyond domestic issues, Bishop Ikeakor also addressed the federal government’s financial recklessness. He condemned the decision to spend N39 billion on renovating the International Conference Centre while schools, hospitals, and vital infrastructure remain grossly underfunded. He argued that this reflects misplaced priorities at a time when the majority of Nigerians cannot afford basic healthcare or education for their children.

“This is a nation where human lives are treated as disposable. If nothing changes soon, we are staring at national collapse,” he warned.

Even in the face of grim realities, the Bishop maintained a strong sense of hope. He urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to rise up with purpose and not allow themselves to be used by corrupt leaders as pawns in a rigged political game.

Bishop Ikeakor made a passionate appeal for civic awakening, saying, “We are over 200 million people being held hostage by less than 10,000 greedy individuals. Through our votes and collective voice, we can change the narrative. Running abroad does not offer salvation. A passport may open doors, but it also chains you to second-class status. Nigeria belongs to us, and we must take it back.”

He concluded with a powerful call for introspection across all sectors of society. The Synod, he noted, was not just a church event, but a moral summons for both leaders and citizens to embrace integrity, compassion, and accountability.

The session closed with a collective resolution urging all Nigerians to demand better governance, reject political manipulation, and commit themselves to rebuilding a nation that upholds justice, equity, and dignity for all.