The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has announced that the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has failed to honour its commitment to Nigerians on virtually every campaign promise it made while seeking power in 2015 and 2019.
The Bishops pointed to the deteriorating security situation in the country, worsening reports of corruption in public offices, and the terrible shape of the country’s economy as manifest proofs that the administration has failed to fulfill the promises that drew votes to it over the last two general election cycles.
Augustine Akubueze Obiora, the archbishop of the Benin and CBCN president in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, disclosed that hearts are bleeding over the persistent killings in southern Kaduna.
The bishops called on the federal and state government to bring an end to the ravaging insecurity in Nigeria, cautioning against the politicisation of the terrible situation for primordial gains.
The clerics also asked Catholics nationwide to observe 40-day fasting and participate fully in this prayer for God to save Nigeria.
“The perpetrators of the killings must be brought to justice. Where there is no justice or justice is not seen to be done, there cannot be peace. Where there is no peace, there cannot be development,” the statement read.
“Any Government, State or Federal that wants peace must work for justice for everyone. There will never be sustained development built upon the bloodshed of innocent people brutally murdered by religious fundamentalists without any recourse to justice for the victims.
“We need not remind Nigerians that the present Federal Government came to power, promising Nigerians, the eradication of corruption, a guarantee of security to life and property, and rapid growth in the economy.
“The creation of jobs, and an enabling environment that engenders growth of the private sector; a significant increase in the supply of electricity to Nigerians, affordable and quality health care to Nigerians, and the revamping of the educational sector were the promises the Government continues to make.
“Many Nigerians, irrespective of political party affiliation, will affirm that these promises have remained a far cry. We strongly appeal to Nigerians to unite together in calling the Federal Government to give priority to these areas of our lives.
“To all Catholics, we request that you join in praying for forty days, starting from 22 August 2020 and ending 30 September 2020, the eve of Nigeria’s Independence Day.”
The security situation in the country has continued to get worse while poverty levels, according to the World Poverty Clock, has reached global notoriety.
