The Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of Nigeria (CBCN) says President Muhammadu Buhari has not kept to his
commitment to “national integration and cohesion” promised Nigerians in his
inaugural speech on May 29, 2015.
This was contained in a
communique issued by Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, president of the CBCN, at
the end of a meeting in Taraba state.
The bishops said the inability of
the federal government to address the inequitable situation in the country has
resulted in a breeding ground for violent reactions, protests, and
agitations.
“In his inaugural speech as
civilian president of Nigeria on 29 May 2015, the president sent out a message
of hope and of his commitment to national integration and cohesion,” communique
read.
“He said: ‘Having just a few
minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as
President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. A few
people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go
after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old
scores.’
“More than two years later, the
reality on ground and the verdict of most of our people across the nation –
irrespective of religious affiliation, ethnic group or social status – point to
the contrary. The inability of the government to address the inequitable
situation in the country has provided breeding ground for violent reactions,
protests and agitations, which exploit the grievances of different segments of
the country.
“We call on government at all
levels to urgently address these anomalies, remove everything that smacks of
injustice, and give everybody and every part of our country a sense of
belonging.
“We insist that merit and ability
should be the primary criteria in making appointments and genuine needs the
criteria for the distribution of amenities. We also urge the government to be
always sensitive to the multi-religious and multi-ethnic configuration of the
nation.”
The bishops expressed concern
that the deployment of soldiers could increase “the nervousness among the
populace with the potential of igniting a fire that could turn into an
uncontrollable conflagration”.
The statement further read, “On
the other hand, we enjoin all aggrieved persons and groups to employ peaceful
means within the framework of the existing laws of the land to express their
grievances or even exercise legitimate pressure on the Government. Care must be
taken by all to avoid actions and utterances capable of causing yet another
armed conflict in the nation or any of its parts.”
While calling on the government
to tackle the herdsmen menace, the bishops commended the Buhari administration
for successes recorded in the fight against corruption, curtailing activities
of Boko Haram and the release of some of the Chibok girls.
They also asked that some state
governments in the north do not deny of their dioceses their rights to own
landed properties for mission work by refusing to issue them with certificates
of occupancy.
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Having a president who don't listen to people only his own people he listen to, is a disaster to the nation, Buhari regard no law, only carrying out his mindset, no past government holder will ever test that sit not to talk of ex military
ReplyDeletePMB.I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.Today the case is different. Manhunt by the government who are suppose to be protecting it citizen,reverse is the case. The soul you have ordered the army to take will hunt you,your nation and your health. The killing in Nigeria by security agencies and northers is madly increasing in the past 2years of APC lead administration. No body can even say anything. Where are the members representing their constituencies in the National Assembly and House of rep. Nigeria is falling
ReplyDeleteThe National Assembly is silent. The president is a northern president of the northern extraction and for the north.
ReplyDelete