By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
The Executive of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that criminal elements across the country are permanently silenced.
The Bishops 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 our nation, the daily experience of the Nigerians masses has seen more decline than improvement.
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, during an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari and sent to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, by Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye, Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, said, “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 cleric however, commended and congratulated the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria in ensuring real improvement in the Nigeria electoral system and processes, especially signing into law the electoral bill.
The Bishops also called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to relent in making sure that INEC and other relevant agencies of government carry out their serious duties to conduct peaceful, free and fair and credible elections.
“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”
The Bishops puts it 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”.
