Insecurity: Change Of Service Chiefs Has Not Produced Desired Effect – President Of Catholic Bishops

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Monday, August 23rd, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – As the current insecurity challenge facing Nigeria continues unabated, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. (Dr) Agustine Akubueze Sunday declared that the change of service chiefs by the Federal Government was yet to produce the desired effect.

He spoke during the ongoing second plenary of their Conference taking place in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

The Roman Catholic Cleric stressed that the level of insecurity in every part of Nigeria was of great concern to them, adding that many of them have buried their faithful’s who died because of insecurity due to the activities of kidnappers, cultists and road accidents caused by bad roads.

He therefore, called on the Federal, State and local governments to rise up to their responsibilities, noting that many Nigerians are dying in unpreventable deaths.

“The federal government has changed the service chiefs after many Nigerians have cried out loudly for change, the change has not yet produced the desired effect.

According to him, “the level of insecurity in every part of the country is of great concern to us Bishops.

“Many of us Bishops have had to bury our faithful’s who died because of insecurity due to the activities of kidnapers, culturists, road accidents caused by bad roads.

“So many Nigerians are dying in unpreventable deaths, the federal government, state and local government must rise to their responsibility” he stated.

On electoral reform, he said they strongly reject any form of electoral system that makes it possible for vote of Nigerians not to be respected , pointing out that the world is moving towards a more digital system, administration.

He however, opined that the electoral reform in Nigeria must align itself with the change of electronic voting, stating that electoral transmission of results should be worked on while rigging of elections at the various point of collection should be a thing of the past.

“The electoral reform should allow a more transparent declaration of results expeditiously to help adjudication of electoral matters.

“Everyone of us must work for the development of Nigeria. We must develop the idea of taking personal responsibility for our actions.

“The electorate must hold their political leaders for their actions.

On the call for independence by some segments of the country, he said that they are calling on everyone to be calm and exhaust extensive consultation.

Most Rev Akubueze equally urged the federal government as well as those leading the call for independence of some regions to listen to everyone to avoid the temptation to demonize those who disagree with them.

“The first step that should be taken is an open and unconditional dialogue. Dialogue is always better than taking up arms.

“No one should be happy with the killing of military personal in the various states. No military personnel should intimidate any Nigerian because of their views. We appeal for respect for diverse views.

“The call for constitutional reforms that respects the rights of every Nigerian and provide opportunity for equal access to the resources of Nigeria is something that should be treated fairly

The Bishop said “the right to self- determination should follow a civilized pattern and should not be demonized. The church believes that government should avoid criminalizing those that did not agree with them.