The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has known as on Christians and Muslims in Nigeria to like each other as kids of God, slightly than interact in violence and bloodshed.
He additionally reiterated his name on Donald Trump of the US to assist Nigeria with strategic help and logistics to fight terrorism and insecurity.
In response to him, such intervention is critical “to see how all Nigerians could be saved from the fingers of those individuals who’ve persistently and persistently taken the lives of Nigerians, whether or not Christians or Muslims, with out the slightest compunction.”
Kaigama, in his 2026 Easter message titled “Peace, Not Warfare: Avoiding the Cruelty of Good Friday in Our Nation,” urged Nigerians to not be swayed by empty guarantees or divisive rhetoric forward of the 2027 elections, however to assist leaders with integrity and competence.
“As we look forward to the elections of 2027, this Easter season calls us to a deeper sense of accountability as residents… Don’t be swayed by empty guarantees or divisive rhetoric. As a substitute, search and vote for leaders who display integrity, competence, and a real dedication to the widespread good,” he mentioned.
The cleric harassed the necessity for peaceable coexistence amongst Nigeria’s numerous ethnic and non secular {groups}.
“We, Nigerians, Africans, Christians, Muslims should study to like one another simply the best way we’re. We don’t must commit massacres or ethnic cleaning… We’re all God’s kids,” he acknowledged.
He lamented the persistent violence throughout components of the nation, together with Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Niger, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, and Zamfara states, noting that harmless lives proceed to be misplaced.
“These will not be rumours. These are documented realities… Church buildings have been burned, clergymen and pastors kidnapped, villages overrun, Muslims attacked and killed whereas at prayer,” he mentioned.
Kaigama criticised what he described as weak responses to insecurity, stating that authorities intervention usually comes solely after lives have been misplaced and communities destroyed.
“To date, the federal government’s response… has been weak at finest and negligent at worst,” he mentioned, warning that the state of affairs might worsen if pressing steps will not be taken.
He clarified that his earlier remarks on U.S. involvement had been misrepresented, stressing that he didn’t name for weapons for Christians however for strategic assist to strengthen Nigeria’s safety structure.
“My name… was for strategic assist, for logistics to cripple the actions of those perpetrators of evil… Each Christians and Muslims are victims,” he mentioned.
The Archbishop emphasised that Easter symbolises hope, renewal, and the triumph of sunshine over darkness, urging Nigerians to not despair regardless of present challenges.
“Our hope should not be passive. It calls for braveness, integrity, and a dedication to a righteous way of life… Allow us to reject corruption, be brokers of peace, and stand for fact,” he added.
He additionally urged leaders to prioritise service over self-interest.
“Management is a sacred belief… The facility you maintain is given for the aim of service, not self-enrichment,” he mentioned.
Kaigama additional known as for mutual respect amongst non secular {groups}, stressing that each Christianity and Islam have coexisted in Nigeria for hundreds of years and can’t be worn out.
He warned that insecurity is being pushed by {groups} in search of management over land, energy, and assets, urging collective motion to deal with the disaster.
By Friday Olokor
Times Nigeria