Anglican Bishop Urges Leaders to Prioritize Public Wellbeing as Benchmark for Effective Governance

Rt. Rev. John Aruakpor, the Anglican Bishop of Oleh Diocese in Delta State, has called on political leaders and governments nationwide to prioritize citizens' welfare as the ultimate measure of effective governance.

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He also emphasized the need for Christians to take an active role in deciding the country's leadership, rather than leaving elections and political matters in the hands of ungodly individuals.

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Aruakpor made these remarks while delivering his Bishop's Charge at the Third Session of the Ninth Synod of the Diocese, which took place at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Enhwe, Isoko South Local Government Area.

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The bishop noted that the country's future depends not only on those seeking public office, but also on the integrity, wisdom, and sense of responsibility of every citizen, and warned that failure to participate in the process could have negative consequences for Christians.

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Aruakpor urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies, judiciary, and other relevant institutions to conduct elections with impartiality, professionalism, transparency, and courage, ensuring that the will of the people prevails.

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He expressed support for the establishment of state police as a means of strengthening Nigeria's security architecture and bringing policing closer to the grassroots.

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However, Aruakpor emphasized that the establishment of state police must be backed by effective constitutional safeguards to prevent political abuse, ethnic bias, intimidation of opposition voices, and human rights violations.

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The bishop lamented the country's epileptic power supply, noting that promises by successive administrations have remained largely unfulfilled despite Nigeria's vast natural and human resources.

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Millions of citizens continue to suffer from unreliable power supply, which has severe consequences for homes, businesses, healthcare, education, agriculture, and industrial development, according to Aruakpor.

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The lingering power supply situation has imposed great economic hardship, discouraged investment, increased unemployment, and diminished the quality of living in the country, he added.

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Aruakpor proposed that no government office or establishment should be allowed to use generators or solar-powered energy, but instead should rely on the general power supply, in an effort to force the leadership to address the issue.

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The bishop questioned plans to commit additional funds to stabilizing electricity supply, suggesting that the funds should instead be made available to state governments that wish to generate power for themselves.