According to a report by Premium Times on Friday, May 29, 2026, a political aspirant in Enugu State, Mathias Ezeaku, has faced rejection from youths and community leaders in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area over his public denunciation of Christianity and a widely circulated video showing him allegedly burning a Bible.
Ezeaku, who is seeking the ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 House of Representatives election to represent the Uzo-Uwani–Igbo-Etiti Federal Constituency, is known for his advocacy of traditional African religion and criticism of Christianity and Islam. He hails from Nrobo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State.
In a statement signed by its leader, Chukwuma Obinna, the Concerned Uzo-Uwani Youths said they strongly opposed Ezeaku’s ambition, accusing him of promoting religious intolerance and hate speech.
The group said it was alarmed by what it described as his “persistent promotion of religious intolerance and hate speech against Christians and Muslims,” warning that such conduct could undermine peaceful coexistence in the constituency.
According to the statement, Ezeaku has repeatedly made inflammatory remarks against Christianity and other faiths, including criticism of Christian doctrines and public actions interpreted as disrespectful to religious symbols.
“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 group stated.
The youths also referenced a social media video in which Ezeaku was allegedly seen burning a Bible while describing Christian clerics as deceivers. The group said the footage raises concerns about his suitability for public office in a religiously diverse constituency.
A reverse image check reportedly indicated that the video was first shared on Facebook in January 2022.
The group also dismissed attempts by the aspirant to associate his campaign with Labour Party leader Peter Obi, arguing that his public statements and ideology are inconsistent with Obi’s advocacy for education, healthcare, and social development through institutional values, including the church.
They warned that electing individuals with “controversial religious dispositions” could heighten tensions in the constituency.
“We are worried that someone who has consistently attacked Christianity and ridiculed other religious beliefs may use public office to deepen religious hostility. Our constituency cannot afford religious conflict or unnecessary controversies,” the statement added.
The youths urged political parties to prioritise candidates with records of tolerance, inclusiveness, and peaceful engagement, while calling on voters to focus on competence and development-oriented leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
They also appealed to security agencies and political stakeholders to monitor statements capable of inciting religious hatred and to ensure campaigns remain issue-based.
Reacting to the backlash, Mathias Ezeaku dismissed the criticism as “propaganda.”
He defended his stance, arguing that individuals have the right to change or abandon religious beliefs. He also compared his actions to practices within other religions, claiming that adherents of Christianity have also rejected or destroyed traditional religious objects.
“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 (Christians) 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.”….Read_More…