By Ayodele Oni

In a rather belated advice, a Group, National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF),  has an advice  for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Don’t participate in the Presidential Election.

President Tinubu is seeking a second term in office along with his Vice President, Kashim Shettima.

But NCEF thinks otherwise. The body is of the opinion that President Tinubu should not seek reelection in 2027; that he should, instead, opt to be a statesman with an eye on history and posterity, and, commit the rest of his first tenure to restructuring Nigeria and giving it a new Constitution.

The organisation also said the demand for a new Constitution for Nigeria before the 2027 elections should be jointly spearheaded, forthwith, by the ethnic nationalities under the socio-cultural groups and other relevant interest groups.

These were some of the resolutions contaibed in a communique issued at the end of the July meeting of the Christian elders which deliberated on the state of the nation, and reviewed the ongoing preparations for another cycle of elections in 2027.

The communique was signed by its chairman and former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr Samuel Danjuma Gani.

Apart from Gani, other members of NCEF are Pastor Bosun Emmanuel (Secretary), Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Vice Chairman (North); Elder Shyngle Wigwe, Vice Chairman (South); Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Hon. Treasurer; Prof. Joseph Otubu, Dr. (Mrs) Kate Okparaeke, Dr. Ayo Abifarin, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd), Hon. Justice James Ogebe, JSC (Rtd); Elder Moses Ihonde, Hon. Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (Rtd), Elder Nat Okoro, Solomon Asemota (SAN) and Elder Matthew Owojaiye.

Others are DIG P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Prof. (Mrs) Deborah Enilo Ajakaiye, HRM Oba Dokun Thompson, Dr. Taiwo Idemudia (Diaspora), Elder Minso Gadzama, Apostle Bulus Musa Kewa, Admiral Peter Adeniyi (Rtd), Hon. Justice Goddy Anunihu (Rtd) and Chief Sir Ferdinand Anikwe.

The communique reads, “That the Tinubu-led Federal Government’s performance in the critical areas of national security, economic development and the wellbeing of the citizenry has been hugely sub-optimal and manifestly disappointing vis a vis the unequivocal specification of Section 14(2)b of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

“That the direction in which the nation is being led by the Tinubu presidency offers increasing apprehension rather than hope and this state of affairs has left all patriots with no option but to call on President Tinubu to please desist from seeking re-election for a second term, but instead like a statesman with an eye on history and posterity, to earnestly commit the rest of his tenure to restructuring Nigeria and giving her a new constitution.

“That his Muslim-Muslim Presidency ticket is tone-deaf and grossly insensitive particularly at a period, like now, when Islamist terrorists are ravaging the country and Christians are at the receiving end of the widespread violence, unabated killings and unspeakable atrocities.

“That the call for a new constitution for Nigeria before the 2027 elections be jointly spearheaded forthwith by the ethnic nationalities under the socio-cultural groups and other relevant interest groups.

“That the judiciary be put on notice that the nation is now at a tipping point and can no longer afford any semblance of judicial bias in their handling of electoral matters.

“That the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should remind itself that it is not an arm of any political party but a federal institution that must stay independent, neutral and beyond reproach to henceforth always deliver credible, free, and fair elections in Nigeria.

“That the North/South rotation of the Presidency is not a written constitutional clause, but it is good and effectual for national stability, equity and inclusivity and for that reason, patriots are urged to support a Southern candidature in 2027 for the four remaining years of the South’s current turn.

“That flagrant compromise of national institutions by the current administration is reminiscent of the dark days of the General Babangida’s military administration and this is unacceptable and must be brought to the quickest halt.

“That the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) scandal is an indictment of the Tinubu administration and an urgent in-depth, independent enquiry into the scandal is mandatory.

“That Nigerians obviously want a change for the better and the continued patience of the long-suffering public must no longer be taken for granted.”

The President’s Political Party, All Progressives Congress, APC, has already renominated him and Shettima for a second term. And, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has already cleared the ticket against the 2027 election.

By Ayodele Oni

In a swift response to Cardinal John Onaiyekan’s stinging criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s alleged authoritarian administration, the  Presidency has said the respected Cleric, was expressing his personal and political opinion, and pointed out that “his opinion does not represent that of Christians in Nigeria.”

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, stated this in a post on his X account on Saturday.

Onaiyekan’s remarks followed the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN’s recent visit to the President.

The Cardinal, after the meeting, accused President Tinubu’s government of prioritizing winning elections “by all means” over tackling the country’s challenges.

He accused the President  of deploying every available means at his disposal to ensure his victory in 2027 general election.

According to the Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Tinubu is not ready for free, fair election, as shown in his desperation to remain in power.

Speaking during an Arise News interview the cardinal stated that the government possesses extensive means and is actively deploying them in ways that could render the will of the people irrelevant even under conditions of a free and fair poll.

In his response, Bwala said Onaiyekan was speaking for the Catholic Church, not the entire Christian community.

He claimed the Catholic institution largely backed Labour Party candidate Peter Obi in the 2023 election.

“Cardinal Onaiyekan wasn’t speaking for Christians, he was speaking for Catholics, the very institution rooting for Peter Obi,” Bwala wrote.

“In fact, likely the institution where Peter Obi also said in 2022 ‘take back your country.’ Therefore, Cardinal is more political than spiritual.

Bwala also noted that not all Catholics voted for Obi, and said President Tinubu was right to disagree with the  assessment of the economy by the Bishops.

According to him, the administration’s position is supported by “facts, stats and numbers factored into context.”

The presidential aide further accused the Clergy of double standards, alleging that the same Priests who criticize government would tell their members to say “we are doing great” even amid hardship.

“There is a body comprising all Christians including the Catholics and Catholic Bishops Conference and that body’s position is neutral and should be so, otherwise it is political,” he added

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has decried the increasing cases of extra-judicial killings in the Nigeria. Lamenting that life has lost its value, Soyinka urged President Bola Tinubu to take appropriate steps to halt the ugly trend.

He decried the inability of the Country’s Judicial system to offer any glimmer of hope to victims of oppression and abuse of state powers.

Soyinka spoke at the 28th Wole Soyinka lecture series held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital at the Weekend where he, also,  expressed serious concern that the Nigerian system has tragically not only permitted actions that tend to devalue human lives, but has created an escape route for perpetrators to evade scrutiny and justice.

According to him ,the docile disposition of the citizenry in the face of gross and repeated incidents of human rights violation within the polity has tended to embolden perpetrators, and resulted in the devaluation of human life.

He noted at the event  themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability , Justice,and Civic Courage”,the literary giant  paid tribute to all those he described as the “victims of the skewed and dysfunctional state of affairs in the country.”

Referencing such gory incidents as the extra-judicial killings of 18 Ugheli Delta State residents, the shooting and killing of a suspect recently by some operatives of the Delta State Police Command, the lynching and burning of Deborah by some religious extremists and others, Soyinka regretted that the country’s judicial system has failed the victims by allowing perpetrators evade accountability.

“Through these remarks ,I pay honour to those who have lost their lives because of the deficiencies of the state which have led to the devaluation of human life.

“Today is dedicated to the 18 Ugheli residents butchered by state agencies for no reason at all, simply for minding their own business; to the young man shot dead in broad daylight by a policeman while under suspicion; and to Deborah, the youth hunted through the city by her own classmates, necklaced and set ablaze

“The Crime is the silence of the rest of us, that such a thing is possible ,and that the killers of that girl can actually go on television, hold up a match and say: “This is the match with which I set her on fire. And there the system of justice fails us completely”, the literary icon lamented.

Soyinka emphasized that defending the sanctity of human life remains paramount, contrary to accusations from critics  to the effect that he tends to stoke sectarian and religious inflammation whenever he speaks against these glaring cases of injustice,

According to him, such gatherings as the Wole Soyinka lecture, remain a veritable platform to speak truth to power, as well as draw attention to the preeminent status of human life in any society..

On his part, former Aviation Minister Osita Chidioka underscored the imperative of equal application of the law ,for the purpose of ensuring justice.

He emphasized that the justice system should apply equally to all citizens irrespective of social status , political, ethnic, and or religious persuasion.

” The law is not established when it protects only our friends . Justice must defend the accused, the unpopular, the political opponent, and the minority because citizenship does not depend on agreement. Where justice is negotiable, citizenship becomes hierarchical”, he stated.