The President of the United Church of Christ in Nigeria otherwise known as Haddadiyar Ekklisiyar Krista A Nigeria (HEKAN), Rev. Emmanuel N. Dziggau has described comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo about Christian leaders as that of a tormented man.

Addressing newsmen to flag off celebrations for the 50^th anniversary of the church at its headquarters in Kaduna , Rev. Dziggau said the former president has no respect for Christianity and its leaders.

He was reacting to recent comments by Obasanjo who was reported to have said that even if Jesus Christ were to conduct elections in Nigeria, Nigerians would have still complained.

Many Christian clerics from across the country had condemned Obasanjo’s comments, describing it as blasphemous with some of them saying the former president needs deliverance.

But the former President, while reacting to the condemnation by the clerics, was reported to have replied that it is the Christian clerics who needed deliverance and not him.

According to Rev. Dziggau, the former president has never hidden his disdain for Christianity and its leaders, stressing that Obasanjo talks like somebody who is tormented.

“When Obasanjo left office in 2007, we leant that he went to enroll in the National Open University for a diploma in theology so that he could become a pastor. He has completed his studies; I don’t know whether he was ordained as a pastor.

“For him to say that we need deliverance, may be that one is a personally thing. He was saying even if Jesus Christ were to conduct elections in Nigeria, Nigerians will still complain. You know Obasanjo doesn’t have respect for Christianity and Christians leaders. You remember how he insulted the CAN chairman in Plateau state when he was president.

“Why should he compare Jesus Christ and the politics of Nigeria? We should not compare heaven and earthly things. That is why Christians are saying what he said is not right.

“What does he mean by saying that we need deliverance?  You know if someone is tormented, he talks anyhow. People who talk anyhow are tormented and they need deliverance. Only people who are tormented needs deliverance” he said.

The president of the church also condole the Government and people of Nigeria over the death of  President  Umaru Musa Yar’adua and prayed  God give his family and the entire nation the fortitude to bear the lost.

Dziggau also called on Nigerians to pray for the new President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for God’s guidance as he steers the affairs of the country.

He cautioned politicians in the country to play politics according to the rule of the game and urged them to shun politics of bitterness.

Nigeria, according to him, is a great country and “countries within the sub-African region look up to it for direction, so we should conduct our affairs in such a manner that will portray us as the giant of Africa.

“The government should tackle corruption, unemployment and the raising wave of crime in the country” he added.

He said HEKAN was marking its Golden jubilee to thank God for the progress made since it was founded 50 years ago, stressing that  main objectives of the celebration was to give thanks to Almighty God for sustaining the life of the church since it was founded.

“We as a church are using the occasion to encourage our members and all Christians to forgive one another and live in peace for the extension of God’s kingdom on earth.

“Eminent members of the Church who have contributed in different ways to the growth of the church will be honoured during the anniversary.

The celebration which has the theme “Year of increase and hope” is expected to last for five days, beginning on Tuesday May 11, 2010.

The occasion which will hold at the headquarters of the church in Kaduna will feature personal and corporate devotion, teaching, Bible studies, musical concert as well as traditional dances from the various ethnic groups in the church.