The Knights of St. John international &Ladies Auxiliary (KSJl) Nigeria has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other political leaders in the country to always accommodate opposing views from credible, apolitical and crucial stakeholders in the course of nation building.

The KSJl made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against the backdrop of the controversy and rancour arising from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria’s (CBCN) recent visit to the President in Abuja.

In the letter signed by the Chairman, KSJI Strategic Communication Committee, Sir Peter Osamgbi, KSJl particularly frowned at the presumed political and partisan coloration attached to the visit by some presidential spokespersons, and the controversy it has equally generated in the public space.

The KSJI said: “It is against the foregoing background that the KSJl received with concern the public reactions which appeared as if the bishops’ visit to the President had a political undertone.

“The fact that a respected religious institution raises concerns about the state of the nation does not, transform that institution into a political opposition or to attribute partisan or political motives to the bishops’ intervention.” With profound respect to Your Excellency and the high office which you occupy, we consider such a characterization unfortunate, the body stressed.

They added: “The CBCN has, over the years, occupied an important position in Nigeria’s public life as a moral and religious institution. The CBCN represents the collective pastoral leadership of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

For many years, the Bishops have engaged leaders of government on matters affecting peace, security, justice, good governance, religious harmony and the general welfare of Nigerians.” The KSJl further stressed that the bishops during their visit, commended the release of the abducted school children in Oyo State, just as they lauded the trial of arrested kidnapers and bandits across the country.

The bishops, the group further explained, hailed President Tinubu’s efforts to improve the quality of education through the Students Loan scheme, NELFund initiative. The knights, therefore, called on the Presidency to always distinguish legitimate dialogue from selfish motives, and shun imputing partisan political motives to such engagements, among others.