The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has backed the Catholic Bishops over their recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while criticizing the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, for what it described as divisive politics capable of undermining Christian unity.
The association said the Catholic Bishops spoke on issues affecting not only the Catholic Church but Christians and Nigerians at large, insisting that their message centred on national interest, good governance and the welfare of citizens.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of the NCA, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said the association would resist any attempt to sow discord within the Christian community for political purposes.
Hayab noted that the NCA comprises members from all major Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, Baptist, ECWA, Methodist, Anglican, Pentecostal and other churches.
“We should tell Bwala to know that Catholics are Christians and Nigerians.
“Our members are Catholics, Baptist, ECWA, Methodist, Anglican, Pentecostals and people of all denominations. We refuse to be divided by Bwala’s politics of division,” he said.
He maintained that the Cardinal and the Catholic Bishops met President Tinubu to discuss issues affecting humanity, Christians and the general wellbeing of Nigerians, rather than matters concerning only the Catholic Church.
“Our Cardinal is our respected leader and the Bishops that visited the President went to speak to him about humanity, Christians and all of us, not only Catholics,” Hayab said.
The NCA chairman described it as “shameful and a disservice” to President Tinubu for his spokesperson to disrespect the Cardinal, arguing that the bishops offered sincere counsel aimed at helping the President succeed and move the country forward.
“It is therefore shameful and a disservice to Tinubu for his spokesperson to disrespect our Cardinal.
“An honest counsel has been given to Mr. President for his own good and for a better Nigeria,” he added.
Hayab further warned that government officials who resort to propaganda instead of addressing the concerns of citizens were harming the nation’s progress.
According to him, public office holders who ignore the realities confronting Nigerians in pursuit of political interests should be seen as contributing to the country’s problems rather than solving them.
“Any voice of greed, propaganda or disconnect with the citizens by any government appointee like Bwala should be seen as those destroying the country for their selfish interest, not minding the larger population,” he said.
He cautioned that unless Nigeria’s challenges were tackled, all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, would bear the consequences.
“Sadly for people like Bwala, if things do not improve, we shall all suffer together and live to see our country not growing as it should be,” Hayab stated.
Reaffirming the association’s confidence in the Catholic Bishops, Hayab described them as patriotic leaders whose intervention was motivated by genuine concern for both President Tinubu and the country.
“The NCA knows that our Catholic Bishops mean well and love the President and the country more than those insulting their honest counsel,” he said.
The association urged political office holders to focus on the substance of concerns raised by religious leaders and other stakeholders instead of making comments capable of deepening divisions among Nigerians.
