President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle has frowned over continued killing of Christians in the North and serial excuses of the federal government in tackling the menace.
Ayokunle also advised the Buhari administration to address the accusation that its appointments of Nigerian into positions favoured one religion against Christians.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the CAN President expressed regret that the Federal Government with its instruments of coercion has simply been unable to apprehend or prosecute several of the alleged herdsmen responsible for the killing of Christians in many parts of the country.
Dr. Ayokunle who said the recent classification of Nigeria as the most dangerous place for Christians on earth was troubling, wondered why the security agencies acted swiftly to arrest the alleged perpetrators of Ile-Ife mayhem but has not been able to arrest any Fulani herdsman since the carnage begun in Southern Kaduna and some other parts of the country with the killings still going on unabated.
He lamented that despite the government announcing late last year that it was establishing a military battalion in Southern Kaduna in addition to a squadron of Mobile Police to curb the menace, he said the government appeared not have been in control of this situation yet.
“It is therefore a wonder that innocent lives are still being lost despite these efforts. It was gratifying to note the swiftness with which the Police apprehended alleged suspects in the Ile-Ife communal clash.
“It is however, a wonder that since Fulani herdsmen have been killing farmers from every corner of the country, neither the police nor other security agencies have been able to be as prompt in making arrests and seeing prosecution through.”
Ayokunle added, “When the government was sometimes accused, government was said they were liaising with the governor of the state (Kaduna), he was the one briefing the president, but why didn’t they liaise with the governor of Osun so that things might be delayed, actions might be delayed as it was delayed in the killings of southern Kaduna.
“Government should know that they are not dealing with infants, not only that, they are dealing with people that elected them into government and have the right to call them to order and hold them to account for all their actions. The executive, legislative and judiciary are not immune from our questioning and auditing.
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“Nigeria belongs to all of us and government has to act with transparency or passing alibi on action that was delayed or trying to justify it is an unnecessary defence mechanism which the government must avoid so that all might know that there is justice and fair play.
“It is in that way that all of us as Nigerians might do a successful pilgrimage together, otherwise it would be ‘To your tenth O Israel’ when there is continuous injustice,” the president warned.
Ayokunle however applauded the administration’s efforts to rid the country of corruption and the successes recorded against the Boko Haram insurgency.
“It is essential for the Federal Government in whose care instruments of cohesion lie to quickly remedy this situation. It will be in the interest of national development and peaceful co-existence.
“If continuous killings have not been happening, we would not have been shouting wolf where there was none. We appeal to the government to desist from giving excuses anymore why the killings are still occurring.
“We want an end to the killings henceforth. Enough is enough.
Regarding appointments, Ayokunle said, “All must be done in political appointments and in the conduct of government business to reflect federal character not only on ethnicity but equally ensuring religious balance.
“The suspicion of favouritism by government of one religious group to the detriment of others must be avoided.
“The more the government adheres to these admonitions, the more coherent we would be as a people and the greater the peace and development”.
On insurgency, he said: “We appreciate the Federal Government for waging war against Boko Haram and for sustaining it.
“We equally salute the courage of our gallant military and we shall continue to pray for them over this good work of defending the people on this matter.
“Equally, the release of the 21 of the several Chibok girls kidnapped three years ago is commendable but more efforts are solicited for the release of the rest before their lives are completely ruined for no sin of theirs.
“We commend as well the recent efforts of the Federal Government on the economy especially on strengthening the local currency.
“More sincerity should be shown on this so that the siege of economic hardship that has almost crippled the lives of Nigerians and increased the rates of suicide might be lifted.
“Salaries owed the workers all over the nation must be paid without delay. My Bible says that the wages of the workers must not be delayed overnight.”
On the fight against corruption, Ayokunle urged the government to be more broadminded, stressing that corruption was not restricted to any particular political party or any religion, noting that as the president is outward looking, he must also be inward looking.
END.
