Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, have accused the Buhari administration of nepotistic tendencies.
The bishops, after their meeting held at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute, Igoba in Akure, also accused members of the National Assembly, NASS, of sabotaging their constituents.
They argued that the spike in insecurity across the country is occasioned by government’s inability to serve on the principles of equity and fairness.
According to the communique signed on Wednesday by the province Chairman and Secretary, Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin and Rev. Akin Oyejola, respectively, the country is plagued by “inept, uncaring leadership which functions by selective allocation of posts, privileges, and resources and by selective application of justice”.
The Bishops posited that Buhari administration had cost Nigeria its soul, adding that this is the reason for the insecurity and economic woes experienced at this moment in the nation’s history.
Similarly, the Bishops stated that members of NASS, who were representing Nigerians, had become saboteurs who had “perfected the art of sabotaging the progress” of the people they represent.
They urged federal lawmakers to prioritise the interest of Nigerians above those of their political and selfish ambitions.
They lamented that often “the work of those who represent the people on the federal level in Nigeria does not seem to bring much satisfaction to the people for whose interest they were allegedly elected, with the national assembly at various occasions prioritizing party and privileges over people’s rights and interests, relief and progress continue to elude Nigerians”.
The clerics condemned the passage of the amended Electoral Act and the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and urged Nigerians to challenge the Senate and the House of Representatives’ decisions.
They appealed to Nigerians not to lose hope in the possibility of a peaceful, united, and prosperous country, urging the media and civil society groups to sustain the momentum on increased public awareness and education on the importance of political participation at all levels of governance.
In the priests’ opinion, it is indeed “time for Nigerians to no longer simply roll over and accept non-representative decisions of the assembly but to challenge them by all legitimate means”.
