Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Pained by the alarming rate of security challenges, which have resulted in large numbers of deaths and displacement of Nigerians, a Methodist Bishop, Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, has reminded the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government that the primary focus now should be on safeguarding Nigerians.
Onuoha said citizens should be protected from the hands of
non-state actors, maintaining that who wins the 2027 presidential election
should be secondary for now.
The Bishop, who spoke in a message he released over the
weekend in Umuahia, charged the APC-led Federal Government to jettison thoughts
of winning the 2027 election and instead secure the country and the citizenry
first, stressing that insecurity in the country is getting out of hand and
requires immediate action.
He expressed deep sadness over the regular stories of
killings linked to bandits, Boko Haram, herdsmen, among other non-state actors,
especially as these incidents have occurred in Plateau, Enugu, and Benue
States.
While emphasizing that the security of Nigerians should be
prioritized, the cleric insisted that he expects to see more urgency and action
from the President regarding ending the carnage going on in various parts of
the country. Regrettably, he noted, what has taken centre stage is endorsements
for the President and support for his re-election—something he said has further
portrayed Nigerian politicians as people insensitive to the welfare of the
citizenry.
The cleric called on the Federal Government under President
Tinubu to take the war against banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency seriously,
noting that if insecurity is fought to a standstill in Nigeria, the APC-led
administration would not need to preach much to Nigerians regarding re-electing
the President in 2027.
“When I read stories about endorsements and people jumping
ship, I feel those things are secondary considering what we are faced with.
Inasmuch as I know that politicians must talk about winning elections, in a
situation where all these issues breach security, what do you do?
“For me, I feel what makes you a selfless leader is to focus
on unraveling these issues first before preaching to people to join your party
or even accepting their endorsements for a second tenure,” Onuoha said.
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