…Task President to rid nation of Murderous Criminals
The Executives, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN,
yesterday tasked President Muhammadu Buhari in ensuring that the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC and other relevant agencies of
government adequately performed their roles in conducting peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in the next month general election.
The clerics however commended the efforts of the Federal Government on improvement of the electoral system
and processes, especially in signing the electoral bill into law.
This formed parts of the submissions given by the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN,
Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, during an audience with President Muhammadu
Buhari in Abuja.
The content was made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, by Most Rev. Felix Femi
Ajakaye, Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese.
The cleric stated:
“It is the hope of most Nigerians that the forthcoming 2023 election
will be a watershed in the political history of Nigeria. Let our
hopes not be dashed
“our nation’s economy has been
put under serious stress by both internal and external negative
forces, which has had serious adverse effect on the lives and
livelihood of the average Nigerians.
“This has been further worsened by the consequences of the growing
foreign debt burden, which is even mortgaging our future and that of
generation after us”
The Bishops added that, “with better political and economic
management, Nigerians have both the resourcefulness and spirit of hard
work to turn things around.
“In particular, the many loopholes and leakages of endemic corruption
still need to be sincerely and adequately addressed, if our economy is
to recover”
They noted that, they have seen some signs that government is
not entirely incapable of tackling the sad state of insecurity in the
land, which has consumed thousands of innocent Nigerians across all
regions, creed and ethnic groups.
“Our Church personnel have been frequent victims in terms of
kidnapping or outright murder. The Owo – Ondo State Catholic Church
massacre on Pentecost Sunday, June 5th, 2022, is still very fresh in
our hearts
“In your capacity as our Commander-In-Chief, we urge you to make sure
that our nation is effectively rid of these murderous criminals. We
assure you of our prayers that the Almighty and Merciful God will
bless you with what it takes to achieve this urgent objective
“Rather, the main crux of our message to you today is one of fervent
appeal and strong encouragement. Your tenure of two terms as
President, Commander In Chief of Nigeria, is drawing to an end. But
we believe that a lot can be done to turn things around for the better
in the about four months left of your presidency before you step down in May 2023”.
The Bishops pointed out that despite the frequent claims of government
that it is “on top of the situation” as regards the state of the
nation, the daily experience of the Nigerians masses has seen more
decline than improvement.