The Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, has advised the Nigerian leaders who cannot provide basic needs for their people to step aside, stressing that the country needs leaders that would honestly, courageously and purposefully put an end to injustice, violence and bloodshed that have become rampant in parts of the country.  

The Bishop said this in his Ash Wednesday message, which he signed and made available to CEOAFRICA.  

He further stated that whoever has the power to effect the change the country needs, but fails to act, deserves God’s punishment.

Badejo, in his message urged Nigerians to use this year’s Lent to pray for God’s mercy for Nigeria and the world at large.    

He said “We need God’s mercy because we are in a real mess in Nigeria, in the world and even in our states and cities.  We need God’s mercy in Aso rock as well as in our homes; we need God’s mercy in Zamfara, Ondo, Shasha as well as in Sambisa. We need it in Minna and in Maiduguri.  Without God’s mercy we are finished.”

He explained that the 40-day period of fasting which Christians all over the world commenced today, is a good guide to lead many to true repentance and holiness.

Badejo stressed that “We know that Ash Wednesday and Lent are high periods of repentance and humbling oneself before God.

“Today’s world and humanity dodges the reality of sin and need for repentance.  But without repentance and humbling oneself before God, we cannot have a better world.”

 “Nigerians may stage the biggest crusades on earth and sing the loudest praise and worship on the plane, if we don’t work for justice and equity, shun falsehood and oppression, we shall come to ruins,” the clergy added.

The Bishop further stated the Lent period should be used to “fight many pandemics that assail Nigeria, knowing that COVID-19 is not the only pandemic in Nigeria, but also corruption, bad governance, barefaced falsehood in official circles, nepotism, perversion of justice, theft of public funds, incessant kidnap for ransom, unemployment, wickedness in high and low places are all claiming victims everyday and creating more casualties.”

He noted that “We must identify with the victims of these tragedies and help them.”

Every Christian is advised to speak the truth to power but also to sinners whenever they privileged to be in politics, economy or in the civil service.

“Our leaders must lead honestly, courageously and purposefully and stop the injustice, violence and bloodshed all over the country, so that our prayers may reach God. Whoever has the power to do so and fails to act, deserves God’s punishment. If on the other hand leaders are not able to provide this basic need, they should step aside,” he admonished.

The Reverend Father, therefore, called on both Christians and Muslims to reconcile with one another and work together to ensure justice, equity and mercy make our society stand.

He added that “All citizens must live rightly and justly to sanitize our society. We all have a duty to change and do good or we get consumed by our self-deceit.

“In Lent we are called to seek perfection. Let us work for it and then God will fulfil his wonderful promises as he made through the prophets. He will save us by the power of his son.”