By Peter Okutu
The Steering Committee of Mid-East Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Thursday condemned the suspension meted out on the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, and eight others, saying the decision was contrary to the norms and proceedings governing operations of the Church of Christ.

The Mid-East Synod, comprising the branches of the church in Ebonyi South senatorial zone, in a statement, described the suspension of Prof. Ogbu and others by the General Assembly Moderator and Principal Clerk of the church as a “pathetic” action of drowning men who are clutching at every straw to stay afloat.

Vanguard learnt that a statement by the church’s Director of Information and Public Affairs, Rev. Kalu Eme, which was released to the press last Tuesday, placed an indefinite suspension on the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, for alleged “acts of insubordination and lawlessness capable of destabilizing the church and causing a breach of public peace.”

Other people listed by the statement as having been suspended included; the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Works, Paul Okorie; Elder C. I. Ewa, Elder Jombo Ukoma, Mr. Odicha Ude, Rev. Ibiam Egwu Ukeni, Rev. Eze Nwonu Eze, Rev. Dr. Amarachi Nnachi Ukoma, Rev. Michael Ani, Rev. Aka Aka Ibiam, Rev. David Amaramo and Rev. Nze Nsie Eke.

But in a reaction, the Steering Committee of Mid-East Synod of the church, where most of the suspended members worshipped, stated: “We, the Mid-East Presbyterians are greatly amused by this desperate move by the embattled General Assembly Moderator and Principal Clerk.

“It smacks of a group of people that have run out of ideas, even bad ones. It is indicative of drowning men clutching at every straw to stay afloat.

“It is pathetic that the two supposed leaders of the most democratic church on earth will jettison the rules, policies and cherished democratic traditions of the church in order to achieve their selfish ambitions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no other body or organ has the right to suspend any member of the church except the session where he or she worships,” they said.

The group further noted that the General Moderator and the Director of Information and Public Affairs cannot suspend a member without fair-hearing, adding that he or she must have been cited to session three (3) times before such a step can be taken.

“You cannot suspend the membership of a member because, the church is Church of Christ; it does not belong to anybody. You can only suspend the member from certain privileges like communion and child dedication.”

“The Mid-East Synod, therefore, reiterated their stand as contained in a document which 167 of the elders signed in September and published in December in national dailies, passing a vote of no confidence on the Principal Clerk, Rev Nwachukwu Eme.”

He said they did not recognize a retired minister, Rev. Prof. Emele Uka, who was allegedly used to deny them their right to produce the next General Assembly Moderator of the Church.

“In the light of of the above, we no longer recognize or accept the authority of Rev. Nwachukwu Eme as the Principal Clerk and we insist on our right to produce the next General Assembly Moderator.

“Anybody parading himself as the General Assembly Moderator is an impostor and a dreamer, and any action they take is illegal, null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” they declared.