Buhari’s ‘I Belong To Everybody’ Oath Far From Reality – Catholic Bishops

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has said contrary to President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘I belong to everybody’ inaugural oath, “the reality on ground point to the contrary”.

The CBCN said this in a communiqué signed by its president, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, in Taraba.

According to the catholic bishops, President Buhari has failed to keep to the promises in his May 29, 2015, inaugural speech.

The CBCN said this in the light of injustice and nepotism which are allegedly the order of the day under the current administration.

“In his inaugural speech as civilian president of Nigeria on 29 May 2015, the president sent out a message of hope and of his commitment to national integration and cohesion,” the communique read.

“He said: ‘Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody. A few people have privately voiced fears that on coming back to office I shall go after them. These fears are groundless. There will be no paying off old scores.’

“More than two years later, the reality on ground and the verdict of most of our people across the nation – irrespective of religious affiliation, ethnic group or social status – point to the contrary. The inability of the government to address the inequitable situation in the country has provided breeding ground for violent reactions, protests and agitations, which exploit the grievances of different segments of the country.

“We call on government at all levels to urgently address these anomalies, remove everything that smacks of injustice, and give everybody and every part of our country a sense of belonging.

“We insist that merit and ability should be the primary criteria in making appointments and genuine needs the criteria for the distribution of amenities. We also urge the government to be always sensitive to the multi-religious and multi-ethnic configuration of the nation.”

Reacting to the deployment of soldiers of the operation Python Dance II to the South East, the bishops said, “the nervousness among the populace with the potential of igniting a fire that could turn into an uncontrollable conflagration”.

“On the other hand, we enjoin all aggrieved persons and groups to employ peaceful means within the framework of the existing laws of the land to express their grievances or even exercise legitimate pressure on the Government. Care must be taken by all to avoid actions and utterances capable of causing yet another armed conflict in the nation or any of its parts,” they said.