#EndSARS Protests: FG Cautions Religious Leaders Against Inciting the Youths

The minister, who spoke at a forum organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said further that he was disappointed that some leaders were encouraging youths to remain on the streets even after government had promised to meet their demands. However, former vice chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and Abuja, Reverend (Dr.) Musa Tsado Dada, faults the Federal Government’s position that Christian leaders in the country were working together with a view to bringing down the current administration as a result of their open criticism of some of the government’s policies.The cleric stated that it would be very difficult for him to believe such insinuation because several times in the past, Christian leaders had supported the government in many ways, especially through fasting and praying for the country’s leaders and the citizens.Dada rhetorically asks, “How can we, after fasting and prayers for the success of President Buhari and his cabinet members, come back to mobilize youths or other members against them?”He stated categorically that he did not believe that government was saying the truth, adding that, “In fact, we were not taught that way, rather we have been taught by the tenets of our religion to always tell the truth the way it is and nothing but the truth. So, if the Christian leaders in Nigeria are telling the government of the country the truth about some things we perceive as being very wrong, I think it is for their good. But I will not want them to have a sort of belief that we are against Mr. President, because we are telling him the truth”.He also debunked the claim in some quarters that Nigerian Christian leaders were inciting their followers against the Federal Government, pointing out that he had no insight into what the government was saying concerning the allegation.Also, the National Deputy President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Presiding Bishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Ibadan, Oyo State, in his own reaction, expressed anger on last Tuesday’s incident that led to the death of some protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.Expressing shock on the killing of the harmless youths by armed soldiers, the cleric described the incident as uncalled for, while he rained curses on those behind the attack.“I hope this is not the beginning of the end of the nation called Nigeria. God save Nigeria.  I have not only been supporting the Muhammadu Buhari administration, but I also mobilized for him during the 2015 election, but what the youths have experienced at the hands of his government lately is uncalled for.  His administration and its leaders should be held accountable for the blood of the youths shed.“I am so sad to see our national flag soaked in the blood of our young ones, shed through the guns of the people we pay to protect them. Our national flag is soiled with the blood of our youths. We are angry. You are killing our youths and as their parents and grandparents, we are ready to join them. If you like, kill all of us if that is what you want,” he said.Similarly, the founder and spiritual head of Celica Church of Christ Worldwide, Reverend (Dr) Emmanuel Adetunji Adeonigbagbe, equally disagrees with the Federal Government’s insinuations that clerics and other religious leaders at large were inciting the youths to take up arms against the government.He underscored that no religious leader can incite the youths to commit anarchy as they are for peace in the country and they serve as intermediaries between the people and the government.  He added that they are to speak truth to power.“Everyone in Nigeria is affected one way or the other by the occurrences in Nigeria. I don’t like the way some people have taken laws into their hands, burning and looting properties and also injuring people. That is not the best way to show your grievances. The peaceful protests embarked upon by youths in the first few days have shown those in authority that power truly belongs to the people and they can decide how they want their country run.“For me, no religious leader can incite the youths to commit anarchy as they are for peace in the country and they serve as intermediaries between the people and government. The governors need to take charge of their respective states as they are closer to their people and assuage the feelings of their people. If there is complete breakdown of law and order who will secure the lives of the citizens?”, he asks.Adeonigbagbe also faulted the speech by President Buhari to the nation following the protests across the country, particularly the killing of innocent protesters at the Lekki Toll gate in Lagos, saying the president’s speech was far from reassuring not only the youths, but also the nation that he has an understanding of what is happening in the country.