The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Martins, has urged the Federal Government to ensure peace in the country to achieve a peaceful election in 2023.
According to a statement on Monday, the Archbishop made the appeal in a homily delivered at the 2023 New Year Mass which was also used to celebrate the 56th World Day of Peace held at the Holy Cross Cathedral, in Lagos.
Martins said the country needed God-fearing leaders who would wipe away the tears of the citizens.
He said, “We need peace in Nigeria this 2023. Without peace, the forthcoming general elections would be a task in futility. I know many parts of the country are witnessing so much insecurity. That is why our security agencies must work round the clock to secure all parts of the country and ensure that all the criminal elements are brought to book.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that he will ensure that we have credible elections. I do not doubt that he means well. But he cannot do it all alone. We must all play our parts by ensuring that we come out to vote for the right candidates and also make sure our votes count. That is a way of ensuring that our elections would be credible.”
Martins also condemned the recent shooting of Mrs Bolanle Raheem by a police officer now on trial, adding that it was very sad that the police officer not only killed the deceased but also two of her unborn babies through his careless action on Christmas day.
He called for urgent police reforms, noting that such atrocities perpetuated by some men of the police force should no more be tolerated in a civilised society like Nigeria.
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