PFN tasks FG on national dialogue over insecurity

Enugu State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Bishop Godwin Madu has declared that rising insecurity was capable of consuming the country and urged the Federal Government to summon a national dialogue on security challenges.

He stated this at a media briefing in Enugu, stressing that danger was hovering all over the country and that it was high time the government defended all Nigerians, irrespective of political leanings and ethnic nationality.

The cleric warned that the increasing activities of bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists posed a serious threat to the 2023 general elections, lamenting that no part of the country was safe presently.

Madu said this was not the time for the Federal Government to grandstand without commensurate action, but time to act decisively, as secessionist groups were increasing daily in the country.

“The agitation for succession from different parts of the country is as a result of lack of confidence in the government and marginalisation of some segments of the country in the scheme of things.

“Government should, therefore, dialogue with the agitating groups in different parts of the country, including youths, religious leaders and people of different ethnicity and languages.

“The country is boiling and the government is turning a blind eye to the chaos. The government should as a matter of urgency call for discussions and dialogue to end the looming danger.”

While declaring that the general insecurity and bloodletting in the country called for concern, Madu lamented Fulani herdsmen killing people everywhere, burning houses, and raping innocent daughters, mothers and wives.

“We condemn these actions because it was never so in the past. Bandits and gunmen have made the country unsafe for everybody. They have killed so many people, which has caused us sleepless nights with questions yet to be answered.

“We urge government at all levels to unravel their identity since both the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra MASSOB have disowned them,” he stated.

On the 2023 general elections, the cleric said efforts should be made to secure the country ahead of the polls, stressing: “Only credible leaders who can turn the fortunes of the country around for the good of the people should be elected.”