Enugu youths reject NDC aspirant over Bible burning, anti-Christian remarks

Some youths and community leaders from Uzo Uwani Local Government Area have rejected the House of Representatives ambition of Mathias Ezeaku over his denunciation of Christianity and public burning of the Holy Bible.

Ezeaku, a worshipper of traditional African religion, is seeking the ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to represent the Uzo-Uwani-Igbo-Etiti Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.

The aspirant, who hails from Nrobo community in Uzo-Uwani, has for years publicly criticised Christianity and Islam, describing them as foreign religions allegedly designed to mislead Africans while promoting traditional worship.

In a statement signed by its leader, Chukwuma Obinna, the group known as Concerned Uzo-Uwani Youths accused Ezeaku of promoting religious intolerance and hate speech against Christians and Muslims.

The group expressed concern over what it described as repeated inflammatory remarks against Christianity, including the burning of the Bible and attacks on Christian clerics.

“The Igbo-Etiti/Uzo-Uwani Federal Constituency is made up of peace-loving people from different religious backgrounds, including Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers. Any individual with a history of intolerance and divisive rhetoric should not be entrusted with political leadership,” the statement said.

The youths also circulated a video clip showing Ezeaku allegedly burning a Bible while criticising Christian leaders and doctrines.

They argued that his views and public conduct contradict the ideals of Peter Obi, whose image Ezeaku has reportedly attached to several of his campaign materials.

“The philosophy of Mathias Ezeaku cannot align with that of Peter Obi and the Nigeria Democratic Congress because while Obi believes that the Church remains a powerful institution for the promotion of quality education, healthcare, and societal development, Ezeaku has been associated with statements suggesting that nothing good comes from the church,” the group stated.

According to the youths, electing individuals with controversial religious views could deepen division and trigger avoidable tension within the constituency.

They urged political parties and voters to support candidates with records of tolerance, inclusiveness and peaceful engagement rather than divisive rhetoric.

The group also called on security agencies to monitor statements capable of inciting religious hatred and urged political actors to focus on issue-based campaigns.

Responding to the criticism, Ezeaku dismissed the opposition as propaganda and defended his actions.

According to him, Christians also destroy traditional shrines and oracles because they consider them evil, arguing that individuals have the right to abandon any religion they no longer believe in.

“Everyone is entitled to his or her choice to say, I am done with this (Christianity), I want to follow traditional religion,” he said.

“The reason why they burned all oracles, our way of life, was because they belonged to them. So, anybody has the full right to reject anything that he’s practising that he doesn’t need again,” Ezeaku added.

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