The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) says the ongoing tension and agitation across various parts of the country are the result of injustice and inequity being propagated by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of second plenary meeting of the CBCN held in Jalingo, Taraba State, from September 7 to 15.
The Bishops noted that Buhari has failed to live up to his promise that he will cater to all Nigerians and that he would not pursue old scores.
“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,” the Bishops stated.
“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 – points 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.”
The CBCN said the surest way to achieve lasting peace in the country is for the government to “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,” the group said.
“We also urge the government to be always sensitive to the multi-religious and multi-ethnic configuration of the nation.
“As Catholic Bishops, we affirm that the legitimacy of every government derives from its ability to listen to the legitimate yearnings and genuine cries of the people and honestly seek to address them.”
The CBCN stressed that “the deployment of soldiers in the midst of already restive youths could increase the nervousness among the populace with the potential of igniting a fire that could turn into an uncontrollable conflagration”.
It however advised all aggrieved persons and groups to employ peaceful means within the framework of the existing laws of the land to express their grievances.
“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,” the group said.