A cleric, Rev. Samuel Ogwo, has admonished Nigerian politicians to desist from selling divisive and ethnic politics.
Ogwo, who leads the Faculty of Common Regulation at Christ Mild Chapel Worldwide, made this attraction whereas talking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The cleric said, “We should perceive that Nigeria won’t disintegrate. Slightly than break up, the nation has the potential to develop into one of many best nations on the planet.”
He famous that these involved in regards to the protests throughout the nation in opposition to starvation and hardship ought to stay calm, assuring that Nigeria will recuperate and keep away from the specter of disintegration.
“The present turbulence is merely a preparation for future greatness. What is occurring at this time is a precursor to higher days forward. Nevertheless, the most important difficulty is that Nigerian leaders should not but prepared for what Nigeria is destined to develop into.
“We’re burdened with corrupt and inept leaders who don’t care in regards to the plight of the frequent man. Within the civilised world, the place democratic values are cherished, the well-being of strange individuals is prioritised, and the liberty of residents is sacrosanct.
“In these nations, governments make sure the welfare of the individuals by offering fundamental wants, significantly safety, shelter, and meals.”
Ogwo criticised the method of the Federal Authorities throughout protests in opposition to dangerous governance, describing the assault on peaceable protesters as unacceptable and undemocratic.
He expressed shock that the police and different safety forces have been capturing at protesters who have been expressing their anger over the hardship ravaging the nation, saying,
“The particular person you might be capturing could possibly be your brother, sister, or relative.”
Ogwo declared, “The completely different ethnic teams in Nigeria share one humanity. Whether or not they’re Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, or Ijaw, they’re one individuals. If we perceive this, we are going to enable everybody to have their place inside the political system.
“That is essential as a result of we’d like one another to construct a peaceable and affluent nation. Sadly, what now we have seen is a state of affairs the place one or two tribes have monopolised political energy to the detriment of others.
“Earlier than independence, figures just like the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe exemplified true nationalism and a detribalised Nigerian identification. His affect transcended ethnic boundaries, and he gained elections within the Western Area.”
The cleric confused that Nigeria is a secular nation, that means it doesn’t have a state faith.
He acknowledged that completely different non secular teams have strengths and weaknesses, however asserted that Christ promised all religions would ultimately unite underneath Christianity with one shepherd.
“If the crises we’re witnessing at this time didn’t happen, we’d not attain that time of fusion. When dangerous issues or arduous occasions stumble upon us, we should always know that good issues are on the way in which. The dangerous occasions clear the trail for the nice to manifest,” he stated.
He remarked that even the inflexible stance of the Federal Authorities in opposition to these demanding good governance could point out that the nation is coming into a brand new section in its non secular life.
Ogwo, nonetheless, condemned the actions of protesters in some northern states who carried Russian flags, as if searching for a international takeover.
He additionally recommended the Igbo neighborhood for abstaining from the protests, noting that if that they had participated, they could have been accused of instigating violence.
“At present, Mr Peter Obi stands tall as a result of he was already accused of sponsoring the protests even earlier than they started. Now that the Igbo have refused to protest, individuals like Bayo Onanuga, who falsely alleged that Obi was behind the protesters, ought to face trial for defamation,” he added.
He confused that Nigerians ought to pray for a God-fearing chief who will assist the unity of all of the nation’s various teams, noting that the place real love exists, nobody would want to hurt one other.