*Nigeria’s Catholic Bishops Condemn Tinubu Over Plateau, Benue Killings
PROMINENT Nigerians, especially the political class, continue to pay Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu at his residence in Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, ostensibly for different reasons.
The latest visitors include former Delta State governor, James Ibori; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; billionaire industrialists, Razak Okoya, Aliko Dangote and Abdulsamad Rabiu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who all urged unity and Nigerians to remain steadfast in prayer and patient with the government’s ongoing national transformation.
Speaking to journalists, they all harped on theshared vision of national unity, economic revival and lasting peace after paying Sallah homage to the President.
Dangote expressed strong optimism about Nigeria’s economic direction under the Tinubu administration, adding: “The next two years will be much better. All the reforms, subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, gas and tax policies, will start yielding fruits as we go along.
“What we need is for people to earn decent incomes. That’s the key to fighting insecurity and driving progress.”
Rabiu commended Tinubu for initiating bold economic reforms toward long-term economic recovery, saying: “These were tough, but necessary decisions, such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.
“We’re seeing meaningful reinvestment in roads, ports and healthcare. It’s slow, but the signs are positive.”
Rabiu urged Nigerians to be patient, cooperative and hopeful. adding that the country belongs to all Nigerians and government alone cannot do it all.
Abubakar, while acknowledging improvements in national security, urged Nigerians to maintain their faith in the administration’s commitment to peace, noting: “There were times major roads, like Abuja–Kaduna, were death traps. Today, movement is safer and kidnappings have declined.”
While admiting that some challenges remain, he stated that the minietry was relentless in its operations, adding: “Let’s all keep the faith. With unity and continued prayers, we will overcome.”
Mutfwang, on his part, commended Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure in the North Central zone, particularly the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road and a newly inaugurated bridge in his state.
The governor described insecurity in Plateau and Benue states as a long-standing issue requiring both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, saying: “We’re in regular consultation with the President. Security is dynamic and we must remain adaptable.”
While canvassing for unity, Mutfwang stressed that national development was only possible when Nigerians rise above ethnic and religious divisions, noting: “Occasions like this remind us we’re one people. Only through solidarity can we truly progress.”
Tinubu, who has been in Lagos since May 27 and participated in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and inaugurated several development projects, is expected to return to Abuja after the festivities.
The President, in his Eid message, urged Nigerians to offer prayers for continued peace and stability and to remain committed to unity and progress, acknowledging the sacrifices citizens have made in the past year, even as he assured that his administration was focused on safeguarding the physical, social and economic wellbeing of the people while laying a solid foundation for national growth.
Meanwhile, Catholic bishops in the country have criticised his administration’s handling of renewed and incessant killings in Plateau and Benues states, accusing it of neglecting their primary responsibility to safeguard lives and maintain public security.
The clergy, under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), strongly knocked the federal and Benue State governments for their failure to protect lives in the ongoing killings in the state.
In a statement signed by its President, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the bishops expressed “heavy hearts and deep anguish” over the “utterly barbaric” attacks on defenceless communities.
“These cold-blooded attacks on defenseless communities where countless have been slaughtered, homes destroyed and families left in anguish, are an affront to God, a stain on our shared humanity and a terrifying reminder of the utter breakdown of security in our land.”
They stressed that no amount of infrastructure development or regular salary payments could compensate for the loss of human life, saying: “No matter how well a government pays salaries or builds roads, its failure to protect human lives renders its achievements hollow.
“The sanctity of human life is supreme. It is sacred; it is inviolable”.
The bishops charged both state and federal authorities to take immediate and decisive action to restore peace, apprehend the perpetrators and ensure justice for victims, noting: “The relentless attacks on innocent and defenseless communities under the watch of civil authorities constitute a grave moral and constitutional failure. This carnage must end!”
The bishops urged security agencies to up their game and end the culture of impunity.
