ACIPA Express Worries With President Buhari’s Laxity In Handling Affairs Of Nigeria.
By Moses Gbande
Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association has ended its Annual Arewa Christians Martyrs Memorial, Prayers, investiture, Awards and Book dedication at the ECWA Headquarters Church in Jos, the Plateau state capital.
The group during the occasion, With the theme, “Nigeria, The Path To Greatness”, painstakingly delibrated on fundamental issues affecting the general well being of Nigerians as a Nation, particularly the recent Xenophoebic attacks on the Blacks living in South Africa. And wants the federal government of Nigeria, And President Mohammedu Buhari to ensure that apart from the perpetrators of these actions against Nigerians being perscuted, the government of South Africa Should pay compensation to Nigerians who lost their properties or family members.It also reeled off a litany of failures for which it holds the President Mohammedu Buhari responsible. The charges includes the Faith based and biased appointments and the use of Fulani Militia for abduction and terrorism, and urge for immediate steps to be taken towards the establishment of National Boarders patrol.
As these seems to be a pressure thought, it is also considered to be right within the law to complain about the Leadership of the country. It is also entitled to articulate grievances pertaining in the area of the country, just as other quasi political, Religious and youth groups often speak on behalf of ethnic, religious or regional interest. Improvement in the standard of living, peace and security are legitimate expectations of the citizens under the Democratic system, under which President Mohammedu Buhari committed himself to this goal he assumed duty.
It is however reasonable that Nigerians would questions on his style and performance regularly, some of the grievances of the Arewa Christians and indigenous Pastors Association are clearly of public concern.
Speaking during the occasion, the Chairman of the Arewa Christians and indigenous Pastors Association, (ACIPA) Rev.Luka Shehu maintained that,” We believe Northern Nigeria is the common heritage for both Christians and Muslims, you may recall last year We commenced awards to deserving Muslims with the first being a post humus award for the Late. Dan Marraya, Jos at the COCIN Headquarters Church, Jos.
Today, ” we are acknowledging the commitment and sacrifice of many in different areas of endesvour. To mention a few are Royal Fathers, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, former COCIN and ECWA President, Rev. Dr. Musa Gotom, Rev. Dr. Alexander Lar, Rev. Dr. Panya Baba and ECWA Trustee, Rev. Dr. D.B. Waya. Some may wonder, the. double honour bestowed on our keynote speaker, H.R.M “the Hama Bachama and the Chairman_ of the occasion, Distinguished Senator Philip Gyunka for wearing two caps today.
“They deserve this double honcur. To whom much is given, much is expected.While honouring our martyrs‚ praying for family of victims, recognizing and awarding deserving personaities, it is unfortunate that some Christians including the clergy have resorted to vain glory and pursuit of personal wealth and materialism.
In view of the recurrent decimal, permit me to “quote from” my speech last year. “…for the avoidance of doubt, let me reiterate our earlier resolve and commitment, no amount of blackmäil, back-stabbing, or conspiracy shall deter us from ACIPA’S objective. Our diversities as Christians in the North have been strengthened and united by the power of the cross and the Blood of the Lamb.
Therefore our common goal is to bring to fore the glory of God in all realms in the nook and crannies of northern Nigeria and build a synergy with the southern Christians”. In the light of the above, and in view of revelations into the mystery inherent in the northern Gate, it has become imperative that we pioneer a robust strategic alliance with our musim allise of the north who understood the common heritage of the sons of God through the Abrahamic covenant of humanity’s value. Let me state here without fear of contradiction, that the greatness and fulfilment of Nigeria’s prophetic destiny is intrinsicly connected to the north. However, this is not the exclusive monopoly Of one religion or ethnic nationality. I am also happy to announce the revelation for an annual strategic prayer alter for Plateau Nigeria to be held on the first date of the Passover which is about April of each year.
Also this year our theme: “The Challenges and Role of Northern Christians in Nigeria’s development” is instructive. Our book, “Dear to Restore Nigeria” to be dedicated and launched today captures all our media releases and revelations.
‘It is noteworthy to mention that despite the enormous contributions of Northern Christians, since pre-independence to the first and second republic, Chrigtians in northern Nigeria have suffered so much setbacks and persecutions. While some of the setbacks and persecutions are deliberately inflicted, some are seIf-inflicted Like the Holy Bible said, “…My people perish for lack of wisdom/knowledge and understanding…” may this not be our portion in Jesus name.Let me refer again to my speech last year, “The Northern Christians have been shortchanged from the dividend accruable from our common estate and once common supposedly shared common wealth and heritage. Sadiy‚ after laying the ‘golden egg and holding forth faithfully, today our frontiers and existence is being threatened on all frontiers, economicaily, politically, religiously and in terms of our very existence”.
Therefore‚ today We have reasons to say, we can no longer play the second fiddle in our common estate or be short-changed in the dividend accruable in our common wealth, whether social infrastructural development, allocations, appointments and general equity in the creation of states and local government or social justice”. “It will be foolish, nay seIf-destructive for either a Christian or Muslim to perceive we are competing with one another. It is such competition and rivalry that led Cain to kill his brother Abel. ” It is unfortunate that while the blood, sweet and intellectualisfn of the Northern Christiahs is good enough to build a structure, but we are not qualified enough to earn or benefit from that which our forebears and ourselves have contributed to build. We are therefore gotiating the terms of our brotherhood and occupation of the Northern space. It is evident that this administration of President Mohammadu Buhari is deliberate at denying qualifiedified Northern Christians opportunity to serve in his government. Apart from the nepostistic appointments and the tilt in favour of Islam, how can there be only two Christian Ministers from Northern Nigeria? Not to mention the deliberate domination of mainly northern Muslims in virtually all the partials and extra-ministeral departmente. This is unacceptable to northern Christians.
“Let me state for the first time publiciy, that I am not Only making this demand as a marginalized northern Christian, but I have a right of demand because before elections‚ I was divinely Privileged to be privy to and in a Northern caucus meeting that network to produce President Mohammedu Buhari.
“We appreciate the role of our security organizations in view of daunting challenge ls some putting their lives on the line and paying the ultimate price. Our prayers and good will to them. However, the military high command is since overdue for change of guard. This is evident from both spiritual intelligence and spiritual security sources. It is our prayers that the bad eggs within our armed forces and security organizations shall be weeded out with more revelations to be unfolded physically, when one of the altars shall bow to the great One in the clash of the spiritual.
“We equally condemn the Afrophoebia killing of other Africans citizens. Though the -killings of Nigerians and other nationals began about 20 years ago, we commend the action of President Buhari by sending a delegation and the step to evacuate Nigerians willing to come back home.
“We call on Mr. President to ensure that apart from the perpetrators of these actions against Nigerians being persecuted, the government of South Africa must pay Compensation Nigerians who have lost their properties or family members. Also, all South African lead politicians or monarchs found to have make inciting statement or hate speech for the |ast years to be held accountable and travel ban placed on them by international communities to serve as deterrent.
“We however commend the administration for the new prison reform, from the change from Nigerian prisons to Nigerian Correctional Services and-the focus on rehabilitation of offenders among others.
’’We also applaud the Federai Government’s new Fiancial regulation to states and local governments through the Nigérian Financial intelligence Committee. Pursuant to the ongoing war on corruption, we therefore, call On the Federal Government and the EFCC to immediately probe into Federal Governments bail out to state governors‚ especially on former governors, no more covered by immunity. In the same vain, EFCC should without fear or favour probe and ensure the unused billions of naira given to INEC for electronic voting that was only used for test running be refunded and accounts rendered to Nigerians publicly.
“Permit me to draw the attention of government on the need to critically vet appointees of government without sentiments. May I bring to fore the appointment of Mallam Abubakar Pantami Gombe an indigene of Gombe. He is an Islamic scholar who was once sent packing . out of Gombe for his antecedents. On relocation to Bagluchi where he served as a lecturer in ATBU, the University was said to have terminated his appointment. Later he opened his mosque at Federal Lowcost housing along railway road. We believe there are more immenent and credible Gombe citizens and other Nigerians to serve Nigeria under this Administration than the likes of Mallam Pantami.”We wish to strongly warn and advice this government and security operatives on the danger of allowing foreign nationals from neighbouring countries for the purpose of demographic advantage of one religion or political party above the others. It is on record that a number of todays abductors or criminals are either Fulani militias or former terrorist who have been arrested and released unconditionally. This is unacceptable. To check our borders permanently and consistently against infiltrators. we, therefore, call for the immediate establishment of National Borders Patrol”.
Nasarawa Reporters 