SAN FRANCISCO, June 23, (THEWILL) – The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Metropolitan See, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has stated that despite efforts by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to restore tranquillity to the land, the unity of Nigeria lies in the people of Nigeria, not in the capacity of any political, traditional or religious leaders to determine.
Speaking at a mass to mark the centenary of the Late Eminence, Ignatius Cardinal Ekandem, the first Episcopal Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Metropolitan See on Friday, he declared that Osinbajo does not have the magic wand to stop current agitations and tension in the country.
The cleric however urged the people against supporting those who were beating the drum of disintegration and chaos, saying they always run abroad to hide when the thing go out of hands. He noted that while the presidency could only calm nerves; it was Nigerians who could refuse to be used to cause havoc.
According to him, “the Acting President is not God and he has not gotten the magic to stop all agitations.
“He can of course take position; make statement that will calm nerves and encourage those who are working for peace and tranquility.
“I think he is making effort in that direction, but it depends on all Nigerians. The point I have always made is that it is the ordinary Nigerian who will decide whether we should live together or not.
“The people on top when they start playing their game sometimes they even forget the people on the ground.
“We on the ground too, we should remember that when the thing gets hot, there are certain people up there who always find a way out. They pack their family on board, fly abroad and leave the poor people on the ground to suffer. We better think that seriously and not allow anybody to push us into a situation, where there is chaos.”
Onaiyekan went on to advise the federal government not to gag or prevent Nigerians from protesting against bad governance, as they had the right to voice out whenever they were shortchanged by their leaders.
“People are angry and when they are angry, they have the right to say so. Therefore, I don’t think government can stop people from making pronouncement explaining what is annoying them, but in doing that, one should count the consequence of what one says. We have the freedom of speech but cannot say everything. So, let us live together in peace and be patience,” he said.
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