…Seek probe of corruption allegation in procurement of arms, ammunitions
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province (LEP) has called for the strengthening of all security apparatus and the procurement of adequate arms and ammunitions and other equipment needed by the military to successfully exterminate all forms of hostilities in the country before the commencement of the national elections.
The Bishops in a communiqué issued at the end of their first plenary meeting held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos on Wednesday said the call had become necessary bearing in mind that 2018 was largely characterized by insecurity across several parts of the country especially in the North Central and the North East.
The communiqué which was signed by Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos Archdiocese and Bishop Peter Odetoyinbo of Abeokuta Diocese, President and Secretary of LEP Bishops’ Conference respectively also recalled that Boko Haram sect continued to terrorize the nation, killing and maiming innocent Nigeria, including soldiers.
It added that kidnappings and ritual killings were at an all-time high as many Nigerians, including the clergy and religious were randomly abducted by gun men with little help in sight while noting with dismay that in this election year, the persistent rise in incidents of Yahoo boys activities and ritual killings were casting fear and apprehension in the minds of law-abiding citizens.
“We therefore call on Security Agencies saddled with the task of safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerian citizens to double up their efforts in putting an end to insecurity in the land. We call for the strengthening of all security apparatus and the procurement of adequate arms and ammunitions and other equipment needed by the military to successfully exterminate all forms of hostilities in the country before the commencement of the national elections.
“In recent times, there have been allegations of corruption in the procurement of arms and ammunitions. Soldiers fighting the Boko haram are said to have been exposed to danger due to inadequate or obsolete equipment at their disposal. We call on government to ensure that those allegations are not disregarded but that they are investigated properly and whoever may be indicted be punished according to the laws of the land. This is the least we can do to encourage the young men and women who put their lives on the line for the security of their fellow Nigerians”, it said.
The communiqué further called on all eligible Nigerians to carry out their civic responsibility and participate actively in the forthcoming elections adding that in spite of the difficulties being faced, all who had registered should pick up their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and refuse the temptation of selling their voters cards for any amount of money.
“We should all vote and elect only credible, God fearing and qualified candidates with the requisite expertise to turn around, for good, the fortunes of this great nation Nigeria. We call on the eligible voters not to allow themselves to be induced to sell their votes but to vote according their conscience and ensure that they defend their votes so that they can truly count.
“We say no to electoral rigging, thuggery and intimidation. Free and fair, elections should be the watch word for INEC. All contesting candidates should be allowed a level playing ground to test their popularity so that at the end of the day, the will of the majority of Nigerians would prevail at the polls. In the same vein, we call on the Security Agencies to ensure that they are not used by any political party to intimidate or short-circuit the electoral process”, the communiqué said.
It however reiterated call for more Catholic lay faithful to get involved and be active participants in the political space beginning at the grassroots, the ward level even as it encouraged all to deepen their Christian formation by availing themselves of the values inherent in the Social Teaching of the Church so that they could be prepared adequately for good governance and therefore help to effect positive changes in the polity.
It continued,” We affirm that the numerous challenges facing the nation such as corruption, nepotism, incompetence, injustice and numerous other vices that have since taken the centre stage of our national life, would have been reduced drastically were there more God-fearing people especially Catholics with heightened spirituality at the helm of affairs in the public service. The elections this year 2019 should therefore serve as a wake-up call for more Catholics to come out en-mass and be active in party political activities”.
The communiqué therefore reinforced call by the Bishops for all to intensify their prayers for peaceful elections reiterating its believe in the unity of the country while calling on those nursing divisive ideas to have a change of mind and allow the plans of the Almighty for this country to manifest seamlessly.
“We abhor war or shedding of innocent blood because life is sacred. We also call on the political class and their ardent supporters to embrace peace before, during and after the elections. Politics should never be a do-or-die affair, but a call to serve. At the end of all the electoral activities, may the wishes of the people be allowed to prevail.
“We therefore commit the affairs of this great country and our individual affairs into the loving hands of our Mother Mary, the Queen of Peace and Patroness of Nigeria. May she continue to intercede for us. Amen”, it prayed.
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