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You ’re Not Doing Enough, Clerics Tell Buhari

Published

9 years ago

March 19, 2018

Christian leaders across the country, in swift reactions, have flayed President Buhari on the statement, stating that Nigeria had much to tackle in terms of security and that “Buhari’s best is not enough.”
Archbishop of Lagos Province and Bishop of Remo Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Michael Fape, who noted that some security challenges were not devoid of political undertones, called for more efforts on the part of the Federal Government.
“I want to believe much of what is happening has serious political undertones. If we have a head of state and governors, who, at their different levels, are regarded as chief security officers, and security is not paramount to them, then the electorate need to ask why they hold such positions. I was following the political campaigns between 2014 and 2015 before President Buhari came on board and he made so many promises. I believe he has all that it takes to do more if he wants to do more.
“As far as security is concerned, as a civilian, I don’t see any difference between both administrations on security. The killings are still ongoing, such that even after the president visited some of the states affected, hours after, there were attacks. So, for someone to have the moral courage to say that, for me, it is very disheartening. He hasn’t done so much as far as security matters are concerned. Perhaps, because he is a politician, he feels that statement was suitable to the situation. It’s probably an attempt to defend his position. As far as I am concerned, on security, we have not had what we should have as a country. Everywhere is still tense. See the activities of killer herdsmen. If it were in a sane society, I think the IGP would have been summoned and something would have been done immediately the head of state spoke on that. I still believe the security matter is still as terrible as it was in the previous administration if things were like this then.
“On the Dapchi abduction, honestly, I’m a bit reluctant to speak on the matter, but then the scenario on Dapchi and Chibok is similar. The security of this nation is very fragile. We give kudos to some of the governors for the steps they have taken, particularly, the Benue governor. Benue is an APC-controlled state. The same scenario goes for some of the states where these things are happening.
“It is unfortunate that he has seen the reality on the ground that talking is not the same thing as action. There is more to be done as it relates to security in Nigeria. Herdsmen are killing without any sense of shame or condemnation because they have sponsors. There are people who own the cattle. We should find out who these individuals are unless they’re telling us that they are sacred cows and are untouchable. Otherwise, I don’t think there is any justification for the statement that this administration has performed better than that of another administration. Let them go back and work.”
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State chapter, Reverend Akpen Leva, in his reaction, called on President Buhari to stop the senseless killings of people in the country.
The CAN boss, who was reacting to the president’s submission that his administration had tried in curtailing general insecurity, noted that his best was not yet enough when it came to herdsmen’s attacks.
“Possibly, he was talking of crushing Boko Haram, but the issue of herdsmen is spreading. It happens in Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Kogi, even in Ekiti states, and there are killings and maiming at will. Let him tighten the security and stop the senseless killings,” he stated.
Leva, who noted that over the years, more than 500 churches had been burnt by invading herdsmen across Benue and Taraba, described the situation as “unfortunate.”
He called on President Buhari to work more on the security situation in the country, stressing that lives are sacred.
Leva who said that no amount of money could bring back lives that were lost appealed to the president to compensate the churches that were burnt.
He also appealed to public-spirited individuals and organisations to assist the church in this trying time, so as to be able to rebuild churches that were torched.
While enjoining Christians to intensify prayers for the security challenges facing the country, Leva urged them to continue to be law-abiding, and not to take laws into their hands.
“What we need now is more prayer. As Christians, we do not need to arm ourselves. That is why we have been preaching peace, because if Christians rise up and arm themselves, there will be anarchy in the country,” he stated while expressing assurance that the storm would soon be over.

Featured

RSG Floats MNET Culture Content Promo

Published

6 hours ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.

He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.

He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.

“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.

Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.

The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.

On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.

Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.

With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.

He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.

Kevin Nengia

Featured

APC Presidential Campaign Storms PH, ‘Morrow

Published

7 hours ago

November 6, 2026

The Tide

Barring last minute changes, the presidential campaign train of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will storm Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, tomorrow.

This is according to a campaign timetable released by the APC Campaign Council last month.

The Tide reports that the APC presidential campaign kicked off in Kaduna on October 24 with President Bola Tinubu in attendance.

The campaign train later moved to Cross River, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Ekiti on November 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima representing the President at the rallies.

President Tinubu is personally scheduled to attend 12 states including Rivers, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.

The Rivers State rally, scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, is expected to witness a large crowd of party supporters drawn from a coalition of political parties in the State.

The party is expected to round off its presidential campaign in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.

The Tide reports that Tinubu has not visited Rivers State as President since he assumed office in May 2023. His last physical visit to the State was before his inauguration on Wednesday, May 3 – Thursday, May 4, 2023, when he was hosted by then Governor Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt to commission the Rumuola/Rumuokwuta Flyover and the Magistrates’ Court Complex.

Tomorrow’s visit will be his first to the State since assuming office.

Featured

2027: Be Politically Neutral, Fubara Tasks Traditional Rulers

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged traditional rulers in the State to maintain neutrality, ensure fairness and uphold peace in their domains as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Fubara gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the 126th, 127th and 128th Combined Quarterly Meeting of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, in Port Harcourt.

The governor said the primary function of traditional rulers is to administer justice and ensure fairness, saying their conduct must not lead to division and unmanageable crises.

“Let me therefore, request, if that is the right word to use, that please, as we are entering into this political season actively, everyone should ensure that your conduct promoted peace in your place. Your actions should not be what would lead to the division and multiple crisis that we cannot manage as a government.

“I think with that, we can all live as one and we can also continue to make this progress that we are trying with all our mind, our body and our soul, to ensure that we deliver to our dear State,” he said.

Fubara urged the royal fathers to abide by the oath and constitution they swore to before ascending their respective stools, in the interest of stability and progress of the State.

He also enjoined them to set aside individual sentiments and place the interest of Rivers State above personal considerations, noting that this principle has guided his own day-to-day governance of the State.

“I want to enjoin everyone to keep aside issues of individual sentiments and ensure that the interest of our state supersedes whatever thing that we have in our mind. This is not just what I’m saying here, it is what I’ve also practiced and displayed in my day-to-day life in the governance of our dear State,” he said.

On the appeal for improved welfare for traditional rulers, the governor clarified that the delay in actualising some of the requests they made in the past was not from the government but from the inability of the Council to put its house in order.

Fubara explained that the issue of stipends paid to the traditional rulers by the local government councils, was a statutory benefit provided for in the constitution and not what a state governor can change by mere verbal pronouncements.

He assured that he remains a man of his word and will fulfill his promises to the traditional rulers before leaving office, next year.

He reaffirmed his respect for the traditional institution as custodians of culture and the closest link to the people, thanking them for their prayers and support.

The governor urged the royal fathers to ensure that the combined quarterly meeting featured fruitful deliberations that will strengthen peace and development in the State.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu Wodo, expressed profound gratitude to the State Government for its efforts in maintaining a cordial relationship with the traditional institution.

Wodo highlighted the importance of traditional rulers in conflict resolution, noting that their closeness to the people places them in a strategic position to mediate in disputes involving chieftaincy matters, family disputes and land ownership in their respective communities.

The royal father drew the attention of the State Government to some challenges affecting the performance of the traditional institution, particularly the lack of official utility vehicles and logistical support needed to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

He also appealed for improved monthly stipends and better welfare provisions to reflect prevailing economic realities.