Ann-Kio Briggs, a well-known activist and daughter of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality, recently spoke with Arise Television about her worries about the blending of politics and religion in Nigeria. Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), came under fire from her for remarks he made at a church Thanksgiving service in Rivers State.
Ann-Kio recalled a previous incident where Wike allegedly made a statement in church, asking for “thunder to fire the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality.” As an Ijaw woman and a Christian, she found this deeply offensive. She also highlighted that Wike’s habit of using the pulpit to express his political grievances and ambitions is inappropriate.
According to Ann-Kio, churches are meant to be places of worship, not platforms for politicians to air their frustrations or promote their careers. She believes that allowing such behavior is disrespectful not only to Christians but also to God.
She criticized church leaders for giving politicians the opportunity to misuse their sacred spaces. “It is absolutely unacceptable,” she said. Ann-Kio stressed that using a place of worship for political purposes crosses an important line and disrespects the values that churches stand for.
For Ann-kio Briggs, there is need to separate religion from politics to maintain the sanctity of both.