Nigerians Are Suffering – Archbishop Of Abuja Tells President Buhari

A fresh call has gone out to President Muhammadu Buhari and other political leaders in the country to come down from their high horses and understand the people they are leading.

The Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama made the call on Sunday in his homily during a mass organized to mark the First 2020 Plenary meeting of Catholic Bishops’Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) which held at the Catholic Secretariat, Abuja.

The clergy noted that Nigerians are suffering and the government is not doing enough to tackle the problems as they seem disconnected from the people they are leading.

“Nigerians are suffering and they come to us because we are the grassroots men, they don’t have access to the president.”

“Let’s listen to the people. We have to cultivate the spirit of patriotism, spirit of one Nigeria. Something must be done to repair the damage that has been done whereas so many things divide us as a nation; religion, ethnic, and many other factors,” Kaigama said.

He further called on political leaders to be more accessible to the people, particularly those in the grassroots and also collaborate with faith-based organizations to drive development and implementation.

“Since they are reaching out to us, we can touch the lives of the marginalized if the government reaches out to us.

“I’m glad that the Vice President is here. We need to have access to our leaders; president, vice president. We need to work together to eradicate poverty, killings, bad governance and all sorts of challenges facing us as a nation.”

Speaking on the insecurity in Nigeria, the Archbishop noted that God’s help and divine intervention is what the country needs to overcome the bandits, kidnappers, terrorists and other forms of insurgency confronting the nation.

“This is the time to turn to God to save us and our dear country, Nigeria. We are told that once there is life there is hope,” he said.

“We refuse to give in to pessimism. We are resilient, that’s why we are Nigerians.”

He also called on the government to do more and be sincere in the fight against terrorism in the country.

“But why should we be suffering for so long? Where is the technology, where are the equipment, where is the sincerity and political will to conquer this menace? Kaigama asked.

In attendance at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma and other political leaders.