The Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki, His Lordship, Peter Chukwu, yesterday, said unless the insecurity ravaging the country is tackled, either by the current or incoming government, the corporate existence of Nigeria will continue to be threatened.

Chukwu stated this in Abakaliki while answering questions from journalists after the inauguration of Catholic Media Practitioners. He noted that Nigerians have lost faith in the ability of the current government to restore security. The bishop added that Nigerians should pray for peaceful, free and fair elections in 2023 that would usher in God’s chosen leaders, who have capacity to solve challenges in the country.

He said: “People, who are rational, are uncomfortable with what is going on. So, it is unfortunate. Appeals have not helped in this government. We have lost faith in the current government to restore security.

“What we are praying for is peaceful, free and fair elections that will usher in God’s chosen leaders, who will solve problems of this country, otherwise, the corporate existence of Nigeria will be threatened.

“We are approaching the general elections. Hold candidates to task, charge them to present their manifestoes; what they wish to accomplish if they are elected into office, and challenge them if they are bringing pretentious claims in their records so that Nigerians can make informed decision about who to vote for.

“I am worried that priests have become targets of kidnappers and killers. Sometimes, they kidnap and end up killing them. We have lost so many priests in the North, in the Middle Belt and even in the South East, and it is worrisome; but I am not surprised because priests and prophets have always been victims of persecution in history of the church.”