Senate President, David Mark, has asked those promoting violence and disunity in the country to refrain from such acts, which he said are clearly against divine creation, as according to him, God did not make a mistake creating us as one Nigeria.
Mark said this caution has become imperative going by the antics of some desperate persons, who he said are using politics and religion to destroy the sanctity of the unity and peace of the Nigerian nation.
“To sponsors or promoters of violence, destruction and uncharitable utterances in the name of politics or religion, it is totally unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms, both in words and deeds,” Senator Mark said yesterday in a remark.
The occasion was the installation ceremony of the metropolitan Archbishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Joseph Oche Job, in Abuja.
Mark noted that God did was right in creating us as His children under one nation and therefore urged all Nigerians to continue to pray for the unity and peace of our country.
The Senate President also urged Nigerians of all faith to be committed to the work of social justice, peace and religious tolerance.
He asked those fanning the embers of war or disunity to think otherwise, pointing out that; “The current insecurity and political confusion in the country are avoidable distractions we certainly do not need now.”
He frowned that most people tend to use politics and religion for the wrong reasons, saying “What we need now is to embark on serious political and interreligious dialogue with the spirit of frankness, honesty, openness, acceptance and understanding in order to move forward.”
Government, Senator Mark assured, is doing everything possible to contain the security and socio-economic challenges facing the country.
The senator congratulated the new archbishop on his elevation and urged the clergy to continue to pray for the nation because; “With prayers and concerted efforts, the challenges we are facing can be overcome.”
In his homily, Archbishop Job expressed a firm belief in the unity of Nigeria, saying that irrespective of the challenges, Nigeria will not disintegrate.
He, however, called for fairness, equity and justice in the administration of the country so that all sections of the country would have a sense of belonging.
by GEORGE OJI
