Advertisement

Do Not Silence Critics, Tolerate Criticisms, Christian Leaders in Nigeria Urge Government

The Logo of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Credit: CAN

By Magdalene Kahiu

Jos, 05 September, 2021 / 10:00 pm (ACI Africa).

Christian leaders in Nigeria have cautioned the country’s leadership against the tendency to silence critics who “expose the ills in our society”.

In a Wednesday, September 1 report, the Church leaders under the auspices of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) say accepting criticism will help solve the West African country’s problems. 

“We urge the government not to gag the people or see those who speak about the failures of government as enemies to be intimidated, hounded down like preys and arrested,” CAN President, Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, has been quoted as saying on behalf of the members of the organization. 

In the report, the Christian leaders also call upon the leadership of the West African nation "to tolerate criticisms that are constructive as they would help in finding solutions to our problems, especially those that expose the ills in our society and the people behind our ordeals." 

The Christian leaders who include members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) further say that the intimidation of critics "will only worsen the situation by widening the divide and fan embers of passion." 

Advertisement

Positive criticism “would help us get to the roots of our problems and solve them,” they add.

Last week, Sahara reporters, an online publication in Nigeria reported that Retired Navy Commodore Kunle Olawunmi  had been invited by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over comments he made on national media, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari had refused to probe high profile politicians whom Boko Haram terrorists named as their sponsors.

The retired Navy officer who reportedly met DIA officials on August 31 together with his lawyer said the meeting turned out to be friendly.

In the September 1 report, CAN officials express gratitude that Mr. Olawunmi’s meeting at the DIA was positive saying, “We thank God that it was a friendly chat as claimed by the Defence Headquarters.”

CAN officials also caution leaders in the country against inciting Nigerians along religious and ethnic lines. 

More in Africa

Nigeria

“We are in trouble”: Catholic Priests Lament as Less Known Jihadist Group Makes Inroads in Nigeria

Read the article

“We must avoid inciting people against leaders, ethnic and religious groups. We are only calling for restraints and balanced judgement. We must speak the truth always because it is the truth alone that can set us free,” they say, adding, “We must promote peace, love and unity in all we say and do.”

CAN members also admonish “those in political leadership of the nation to exercise caution in the way they treat observations of people and comments so as not to further plunge the nation into unnecessary crisis.”

To all Nigerians, the Christian leaders say, there is need to “be modest and factual in their comments and respect those who are leading us by giving honor to whom honor is due; however, that does not erode their rights and freedom of expression by speaking the truth always to those they elected into power without fear.”

“We once again urge Nigerians to run away from spreading fake news because it is damaging and totally unhelpful,” CAN officials say in the September 1 report.

Magdalene Kahiu

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.

Trending