By Richard Ibu, June 10, 2022, News/Comments
IMO-The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBNC), has once again reiterated its position over the worsening security position in the country, noting however that, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has lost direction and idea on how to solve the insecurity across the country. speaking at the golden jubilee celebration of the Apostolic Administrator of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Anthony J. V. Obinna, the President of (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, noted that Nigeria is not only bleeding but soaked in blood.
“Nigeria is bleeding. Our land is soaked in blood. From North to South, East to West, blood is flowing like a river. Nigerians now live in fear and anxiety, as a dark cloud of uncertainty hangs over the nation.
“Nowhere is secure. Our homes, our highways, our institutions of learning and even our sacred precincts of worship centres, are all unsafe. Why has our country become so insecure, while we have a government charged with the responsibility of defending the lives and property of one and all?
“Why has life become so cheap and short in Nigeria? Why must people who slaughter unarmed and law-abiding citizens in our communities be allowed to go scot-free?
“As we celebrate here today, my heart returns to the bloody scene at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where many unarmed worshippers, including couples, women, little children and infants, were gruesomely murdered and many others brutally wounded on Pentecost Sunday.
“We continue to pray for the happy repose of the dead, the speedy recovery of the injured and the consolation of the bereaved. The killing of innocent worshippers is outrageous, sacrilegious, condemnable and totally unacceptable”
“It has become obvious that our country is under siege by Fulani militia, masquerading as herdsmen. A few weeks ago, it was the heartless killing of Deborah and the callous attack of churches in Sokoto.
“Recently, it was the kidnapping of the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, who later disclosed that he and his two co-travellers, were abducted by armed Fulanis, with the active connivance of the military. And last Sunday, the story was the bloody attack of the Church in Owo.”
Speaking further on the 2023 general elections, the Archbishop Ugorji stressed: “We have watched with dismay, the recent cash-and-carry primaries in different political parties, primaries characterised by greed, graft, manipulation and exclusion.
“To say the least, what took place in some of those primaries, were disheartening and disgraceful. Given that genuine leadership is selfless service, involving enormous sacrifice, people who try to bribe their way to power, must have ulterior and questionable motives.
“We must stand together to say no to money politics, terrorism, kidnapping and corruption in our country. One effective way of doing so, is through exercising our franchise during general elections, by trooping out to vote.
“We must, therefore, shun apathy and indifference and stand together to elect only credible candidates with character, competence and capacity; candidates with proven records of achievements and who are known for putting the common good above their private and selfish interests.”
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to ensure that they have their permanent voter’s card, in preparation for next year’s general elections, which he said, “is very crucial for the survival of this nation.”
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