…Says country hangs on uncertainty as litigants approach Supreme Court
Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has decried the situation of things in Nigeria, especially the cost of governance in the country, as he described as outrageous the huge amount of money being spent on running government. Archbishop Ugorji expressed his concern, during the opening ceremony of the 2023 Second Plenary Assembly of the CBCN held recently in Abuja.
Speaking on the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT, Archbishop Ugorji said that Nigeria stands on the precipice of uncertainty, as litigants approach the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict. The CBCN President appealed to the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union to resist the temptation of military intervention as a solution to leadership crisis in Niger and Gabon, owing to military coups experienced recently in the countries.

“We appeal to the leadership of the ECOWAS and AU to resist the temptation of military intervention as a solution to the leadership crisis in some African countries that have recently experienced military coups. Rather they should continue to explore the more peaceful option of diplomatic negotiations. He said: “Such dialogues may require due attention to the root causes of the rising incidence of military intervention in African countries in recent times. While we denounce coups, we must, however, state loud and clear that political leadership exists to promote the common good.
Consequently, political leaders, who are incapable of fostering the welfare of their citizens or who work against their people’s interest and wellbeing, have no moral justification to continue in power, whether elected or not.” The Archbishop said that the conduct of the 2023 general elections in the country, fell short of people’s legitimate expectations, as well as moral and legal standards. According to him, “This plenary session is coming at a time when Nigerians are still going through excruciating pains arising from harsh economic policies, recklessness of past governments, banditry and kidnapping.
He said, “Prices of basic necessities have skyrocketed beyond the reach of ordinary people, and there appears not to be any respite in sight. The living conditions of average Nigerian families today are better imagined than experienced. “In addition, the new wave of military coups among our close neighbours, and calls from certain quarters for military action against the coupists raise fears that living conditions may worsen in our country if that option is eventually taken by the authority of the ECOWAS Heads of Government. “In all these, I believe that God Almighty will use faith leaders to fix this country if we do not give up. Nigeria will be great again.”