ACNS 4245 NIGERIA 09 FEBRUARY 2007

Sokoto General Synod Communique

A Communique Issued at the end of the Special one-day General Synod of

the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Held at St. Paul's Church

Dendo Road, Sokoto on Wednesday 7th Feb 2007.

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) met in a one day General

Synod session on Wednesday 7th, February, 2007 at St. Paul's Church,

Dendo Road, Sokoto in the Diocese of Sokoto with the Archbishop,

Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, his Grace the Most Reverend

Peter J. Akinola, DD. CON presiding.

The Synod after a prayerful and exhaustive deliberation on matters

affecting the church and the society issued the following communiqué.

Gratitude

The Synod is happy with the observable peace, tolerance and mutual

co-existence of people of various faith traditions in Sokoto State. This

is no doubt the result of outstanding leadership qualities of both the

State Governor and the Sultanate. Worthy of special mention is the warm

hospitality of both the government and people of Sokoto State towards

the successful hosting of this Synod. It is our prayer that God will

bless them more abundantly.

The forthcoming Primates' meeting

The Synod is pleased to hear that the Primate of All Nigeria would be

taking part in the meeting of Primates of the Anglican Communion that

will hold in Dar es Salaam, February 14th - 20th, 2007. While commending

him, the Primate, for his principled stand on the thorny issues plaguing

the Communion for some time the Synod is prayerfully looking for the

guidance of the Holy Spirit in this particular meeting to the end that

Biblical authority will be upheld. The Synod, while still working

towards the unity of the Anglican Communion, strongly believes that such

unity must be rooted in Biblical orthodoxy.

The 2008 Lambeth Conference

The Synod reaffirms its earlier resolutions on the 2008 Lambeth

Conference and stands firmly on the recommendations of the document,

"The Road to Lambeth," as a condition for our participation in this

gathering.

Our brethren in CANA

The Synod welcomed the report from the Bishop of CANA (Convocation of

Anglicans in North America) and the increasing number of congregations

and clergy who are now part of this important missionary initiative of

the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). We welcome them as full and

constituent members of our Anglican Communion family. We rejoice in

their faithful witness during these turbulent times. We are saddened to

hear that the profound division in the Episcopal Church and the Diocese

of Virginia has now led to the unholy situation where an Episcopal

Bishop has initiated costly legal action against churches whose only

offence is seeking to remain true to the "faith once for all delivered

to the saints." We assure them that we stand with them and will continue

to uphold them with our prayers.

Security in the Nation

While commending the Nigerian police and other security agencies for

their efforts in combating the increasing crime wave in the country, the

Synod is concerned about the level of assassinations in our society. It

calls on the governments of the land to take necessary steps to ensure

the security of Nigerian citizens.

The Niger Delta situation

Synod is alarmed that hostage taking is still continuing in the Niger

Delta region in spite of the efforts of the present government at

redressing the systemic injustices and negligence of the past. While

acknowledging the validity of their case, the Synod strongly appeals to

the Niger Delta youth to change their strategy as violence and

restiveness will never solve the problem. It further calls on government

at all levels to ensure that the huge amount of money voted for the

development of this region is effectively utilized to serve as a beacon

of hope for the people.

The 2006 National Population Census

The Synod notes with concern the controversies that have followed the

results of the 2006 Population Census in the country. Synod believes

that such controversies should be adequately handled and calls on the

Federal Government to ensure that other methods or means of determining

the population of a country such as identity cards, accurate recording

of births and deaths, are enforced.

The political situation

As we approach the general elections and observe the prevailing

unwholesome environment, Synod fervently urges all to pray that God's

will to be done. It further calls on all citizens to be alert and ensure

that the democratic process is not sabotaged. Nigerians are encouraged

to vote for credible candidates and shun money politics with the

totality of our being.

Furthermore Synod calls on the National Assembly to effect amendments of

the Electoral Act 2006 to remove all bottlenecks to a peaceful

governmental transition, in particular the sections dealing with: a)

postponement of elections owing to the death of a candidate and b) the

number of days for the revision and display of voters register before

elections.

Crisis in Darfur, Sudan

Synod decries the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and

calls on the Federal government of Nigeria to do everything necessary to

ensure that Khartoum allows the United Nations peacekeeping force to

assist in the situation.

The fuel situation

The Synod is distressed by the return of long queues of vehicles in our

fuel stations which was precisely the situation in 1999 when the present

administration came into power and calls on the federal Government to

urgently resolve the situation before leaving office.

Vote of Confidence

The Synod notes with great delight the visionary, purposeful and

dedicated leadership given by our Primate, the Most Reverend Peter J.

Akinola. Worthy of special note is his unflinching resolve to uphold the

authority of the Word of God against onslaughts from modern apostles of

false doctrines. The Synod assures him of our prayers and enthusiastic

support.

Signed

The Most Revd. Peter J. Akinola, DD, CON

Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria