Lament worsening insecurity, ailing economy
Amid the lingering controversy over the judgement of the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal, (PEPT), the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, (CBCN), has said Nigeria currently stands on the precipice of uncertainty, as the case moves to the Supreme Court.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 2023 Second Plenary Assembly of the CBCN in Abuja, the President of the Conference, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, voiced concerns over the conduct of the elections, which he said fell short of peoples legitimate expectations and moral and legal standards.
He highlighted the dismissive approach of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, (PEPT), towards the petitions filed by aggrieved contestants.
Ugorji lamented the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, criticising the governments approach to the issue. In the face of this dismal situation, we cannot get tired of urging the government to rise to its primary responsibility of securing the lives and property of its citizens, he stressed.
Ugorji expressed deep concern over the prevailing state of tension and uncertainty in communities, where residents endure a life of increasing poverty, chronic hunger, hardships, and immense suffering. He noted that the dire situation had been further exacerbated by the abrupt and poorly planned removal of fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira, and the subsequent galloping inflation.
The CBCN said these factors had significantly affected the prices of essential items such as food and transportation, plunging millions of Nigerians into excruciating economic hardship.
According to Archbishop Ugorji, the governments efforts to alleviate the harsh effects of subsidy removal have not yielded significant results, leaving countless Nigerians to bear the brunt of the ruling classs actions.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, in his homily during the plenary mass, called on Nigerians to foster peaceful coexistence and resist the temptation to engage in violence.
On his part, the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who was represented by the General Secretary of CAN, Apostle Samson Fatokun, expressed hope for the future of the country.
The event brought together esteemed guests such as Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Governors of Imo and Nasarawa States, among others.
