Onaiyekan tasks Buhari on governance as Gowon urges prayers

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to adjust his leadership style for Nigeria to overcome its social-economic crisis.

He gave the charge yesterday during an inter-denominational church service to mark the 2019 presidential inauguration ceremony at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

This comes as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated that the nation’s future was bright, adding that Christians were expected to take the lead in giving hope to others.

According to Osinbajo, “our days will be better and better. This is the reason why I am so confident that our ministry is that of reconciliation. We must not permit anyone to take advantage of the fault lines. Our country stands at the threshold of phenomenal great, the end of the story is light and joy. We begin with darkness and confusion but the end of our story is bright and the future of our nation is bright.”

Besides, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), urged Nigerians to pray for the President and other political leaders to deliver good governance.

He urged the citizenry to “love your country and defend it in whatever way we can. Let us have peace in the land and let us ensure that this nation continues to survive to eternity, God being our helper.”

But in his message, titled “Let us choose life not death taken from Deuteronomy 30:19, the cardinal, who explained that there was no more time for blame game, pointed out the country was not in a state where anyone should rejoice.

He said for a positive change to happen in Nigeria, a sincere change of leadership was needed.

His words: “This inter-denominational Christian service is an important agenda on the complex programme of events marking the transition from one tenure of government to the next, the inauguration of the second term of our president and his team.

“We are gathered as Christians in this holy space, as we place ourselves before the throne of God’s grace, praying for ourselves, our nation, and in a special way for all those whose duty it is to lead our nation in the way of peace, harmony and prosperity. May the Lord hear our prayers.

“We thank God that despite much fears and anxieties, we have arrived at this stage in relative peace. The last elections have left behind thick clouds of acrimony that are still to clear. We are still waiting for the final verdict of the tribunals on which we now rely in all spirit of peaceful contest, guided by the rule of law. We thank God who has led us thus far.

“This is no time for celebration of victory or for lamentation over defeat. Rather, it is time to put efforts together, with the grace of God, to tackle the serious challenges before us.

“At this moment, we would do well to acknowledge our failure to do things in the right way. Here the words of the psalmist should challenge each of us: “If you Oh Lord should mark our guilt, who would survive?”