"No Direction, No Conscience": Bishop Ikeakor Blasts Nigerian Politicians for Betrayal, Greed, and Absence of Ideological Integrity

 

The Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Amichi, Rt. Rev. Ephraim Ikeakor, has delivered a fiery rebuke of Nigeria’s political leaders, accusing them of selfishness, deceit, and abandonment of the very citizens they were elected to serve. At a pre-Synod press briefing held at Immanuel Church, Akwihedi, Nnewi South Local Government Area, Anambra State, the cleric left no room for ambiguity as he denounced what he described as a system overrun by political profiteers masquerading as national leaders.

Delivering his remarks ahead of the 2025 Diocesan Synod, the bishop painted a grim picture of a nation trapped in the claws of leaders who view political office as a commercial venture. His message was one of deep concern and frustration—concern over the moral decay in leadership and frustration with a system where accountability has vanished in the face of raw political ambition.

He lambasted politicians for their constant movement between parties, condemning the rate at which public officials abandon their political platforms to join the ruling party, often in a bid to escape prosecution or secure personal advantages. According to him, the frequent defections reflect a lack of ideological grounding and expose a political culture rooted in opportunism rather than principle.

“Political ideology is completely absent in Nigeria. What we have are businessmen in politics who calculate every move based on personal gain,” the bishop asserted. He added that in countries with mature democracies, political alignment is informed by ideology and belief systems, not shifting loyalties based on who holds federal power.

Bishop Ikeakor decried the current administration’s failure to address the suffering of ordinary Nigerians, saying it is shameful that some politicians are already lobbying for continuity just halfway through a four-year term. He questioned how leaders could be fixated on re-election when they have yet to demonstrate any clear progress or commitment to improving citizens' welfare.

“You just spent two years of a four-year tenure and you are already campaigning for re-election. That’s not governance—it’s arrogance and it’s an insult to the people who are barely surviving under your leadership,” he lamented.

His outrage extended to the National Assembly, which he accused of failing the nation in its oversight responsibilities. He described members of the legislative body as “the most callous Nigerians,” who, instead of acting as the conscience of the nation, have become complicit in its decay.

“Nigeria is like a vehicle driven by people who neither know the destination nor care to find out. That is the scariest part of our situation,” he added, expressing deep worry over the lack of direction under the current government.

Bishop Ikeakor suggested that many Nigerians are deluding themselves by expecting meaningful change from politicians who have repeatedly demonstrated that they prioritize power and wealth over justice and service. He urged citizens to rethink the way they engage with politics and hold their leaders accountable for their actions.

Recalling the results of the 2023 elections, the bishop alluded to the controversial nature of the electoral process, suggesting that the outcome was not reflective of the people’s will. He warned that disappointment awaits those who expect transformation from a government that came into power under questionable circumstances.

The cleric did not shy away from highlighting the troubling trend where public officials facing corruption charges seemingly find absolution by defecting to the ruling party. This, he argued, creates a culture of impunity, where the path to legal immunity lies not in justice but in political loyalty.

Once again, Bishop Ikeakor underscored the moral bankruptcy in the nation’s political leadership, asserting that many of those at the helm lack the conscience to govern with compassion or foresight.

“We don’t have leaders. We have looters. That’s the bitter truth,” he declared. “The tragedy is that the citizens have accepted these looters as leaders, and until that mindset changes, nothing else will.”

As Nigeria prepares for future electoral cycles, the bishop’s words serve as a sobering call to action for both the electorate and those in power. His voice joins a growing chorus of Nigerians demanding more than lip service from their leaders—demanding vision, integrity, and above all, a genuine concern for the common good.