How to end agitations for secession, by Ndukuba

Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Henry Ndukuba has said that agitations by different groups in the country will persist once there is injustice, partiality in governance and when people from a particular part of the nation are treated as first-class citizens and others as second-class or even fourth-class citizens.

He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to listen to the concerns of those agitating for secession even as he appealed to the agitators to be considerate and consider other citizens in whatever way they want to express their anger.

Speaking at the end of the 2021 Divine Commonwealth Conference (DIVCON) yesterday in Abuja, Ndukuba argued that people have the freedom to express themselves and it is left to the government to listen to what the people are complaining about.

The cleric, who stated that agitation is a product of unfairness, partiality and injustice, noted that when merit is jettisoned and when people’s concerns are not addressed, they would speak up.

“It is possible that we will always have agitations when there is unfairness when there is partiality in governance when it is evident that some people are first-class citizens and others are second-class and even fourth-class citizens in the same nation. When you look at the agitations that are going on, it is because some sections of this country believe that they are not fairly treated or handled in a way so that when they look around, they feel that the way things are going is not the way it should be going. I will encourage the government to listen and I will encourage the agitators to be considerate and also consider other citizens in whatever way they want to express their anger.

The scripture says that the anger of man cannot work out the righteousness of God,” he said.

The primate decried the high level of criminality and general insecurity in the land, urging the government to rise to its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people.

He said: “Why is it that all these things have been happening, for instance, the incessant killings in Southern Kaduna, and nobody has been arrested or prosecuted? Are the people doing these things spirits? I believe that there is a compromise somewhere and when there is a compromise, there is corruption and when there is corruption and compromise, there is no way a fair system can function. You cannot have peace where there is injustice and unfairness. I encourage Christians to pray, there is nothing God cannot do, but more importantly, the government should do what they should do, security of lives and property is the number one responsibility of any government”.

On the upcoming 2023 general election, Primate Ndukuba charged the youth not to allow themselves to be used as thugs to create havoc or unrest

“Our leaders must stand to be counted. As you may know, very soon they will go into electioneering campaign. The youth should not let anybody turn them into thugs. Thugs are slaves. Those who want you to be their thugs may want to give you money and drugs, but they will not want their own children to do the same thing.

“So, we need equality in the treatment of our citizens and respect for human lives. The sanctity of lives should be preserved, let us honour God and let us respect and honour one another”, he added.