The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), on Wednesday, lamented the silence of President Muhammadu Buhari over the nation’s security challenges, saying the incessant attacks across the country is very disturbing.
National President of PFN, Bishop Wale Oke, stated this in Ibadan while receiving the Lagos, Ogun and Osun States’ Chapters of the Christian body led by Apostle Enjimaya Okwuonu, Apostle David Otaru and Prophet Isaiah Adelowokan, respectively.
The PFN National President said that silence of Buhari over the security situation in Nigeria is deafening, adding that it was giving room for speculations and gossips that suggest the government was involved in the sickening situation by indulging and pampering bandits and killer Fulani herdsmen.
Oke urged Buhari to as a matter of urgency address Nigerians on the security situation in the country and also take necessary steps to find a lasting solution to the challenges.
He charged Buhari to rise up to the occasion and tackle the security challenges, stressing that he should rise above primordial sentiments and sectional attachment in order to make the nation more conducive and habitable for every Nigerian.
The renowned cleric reminded the President that he was voted into power in 2015 because of his military background, with a view to stemming the insecurity in the country.
“There is so much pressure and tension in the land due to insurgency being orchestrated by Boko Haram, kidnapping, banditry, killer Fulani herdsmen palaver, raping, among other ills. All these are self-inflicted.
“We don’t want the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to be the one that will speak; It is President Buhari himself that we want to hear from on the dreaded security situation in the country. Our President should use the opportunity to disassociate his government from the lawlessness currently ravaging the country through the activities of Boko Haram insurgents and the killer Fulani herdsmen.
“Buhari should tell his kinsmen, the Fulanis, to stop the mindless killings currently ongoing in the country; arrest and make those culpable to face the wrath of law.Tell the bandits, the killers, the rapists and all those involved in these heinous engagements, the language of law whether they are Fulanis or whatever. Let the nation hear your fatherly voice. People are living in fear,farmers cannot go to their farms anymore,” he said.
Oke charged the President to be expeditious in tackling the mounting challenges, insisting that the nation was on the brink of collapsing.
“No doubt, we are at a precarious time because of insecurity and alarmingly, the drums of separation are beating loudly for everyone to hear,”he stated.
The PFN President appealed on behalf of over 45 million members of the Christian body to the President to stand up and bring together all Nigerians regardless of their tribes and religion.
“PFN is praying for you Mr President, and the nation as well.This is because Nigeria has never been as divided as we are now,” Oke added.
He also cautioned the Federal Government against negotiating with bandits, saying it would be tantamount to treating them with kid gloves.
“Kidnappers, bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, killer Fulani herdsmen and rapists are criminals who the government should not negotiate with.Instead, they should be judged while the protection of lives and property of the citizen is given the needed priority,” the PFN president said.
Speaking, the PFN Chairmen from Lagos, Ogun and Osun States, said they were in Ibadan to felicitate with Oke on his recent emergence as the National President of the body.
They pledged their loyalty and support, assuring him of their readiness to always heed his call to duty.
