A former Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Lagos, Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to renounce the presidential seat following what he described as the President’s failurefor to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.
Specifically, he accused the President of failing to stop killings perpetrated by Fulani militant herdsmen.
In an open letter to Buhari, entitled, “Dear Mr. President, Call a Spade a Spade,” a copy of which was sent to Saturday PUNCH, Okogie said, “Dear Mr. President, we must call a spade a spade. You were elected to protect the land and its people but neither is being protected under your watch.
“You therefore have the most important decision of your career to make. And that decision is this: Are you for Nigerians or not?”
The cleric pointed out that the number of killings so far recorded under the Buhari-led administration showed that the government had failed on security.
He said, “The number (of Nigerians) killed under your watch, Mr. President, provides more than convincing evidence that the government you lead has failed to secure our lives. You are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
“If more than three years into your administration, you have been unable to stop these killings, why don’t you seriously consider the option of an honourable renunciation of the presidential seat?
“One of the major factors behind the patent failure of your government is the fact that you are surrounded by men and women who fail to tell you the truth about Nigeria and who shield you from seeing what is happening to the ordinary Nigerians.
“Instead of assisting you in the governance of this country, they insult those whose dissenting opinions you need if you are to succeed.
“How does one explain the fact that under your watch as the Commander-in-Chief, agencies established to maintain law and order, instead of protecting innocent citizens of this country, dissipate their energy running after members of opposing parties? Do you call that democracy?
“No right-thinking person would advocate letting anyone off who has committed a crime. No one is above the law, not even you, Mr. President. That is why the Constitution provides for a process of removing the President.
“That is why the point must also be made that those who contravene the laws of Nigeria be brought to book, irrespective of their political, regional, ethnic or religious affiliation. But the sad reality is: under your watch, that is not what is happening.”
The former President of the CAN faulted the Federal Government for failing to arrest and prosecute leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, who had on several occasions allegedly claimed responsibility for the various attacks on communities.