Many Nigerians, he went on to say, “seem to dwell more on the externals of religion and issues that heighten unnecessary competition and tension.”
“It is such a pity that we have become so religiously hypersensitive that we often turn political, social and justice issues into a competition about religious domination,” the Archbishop bemoaned.
“Leaders in Nigeria must be discerning about negative religious sentiments that lead to hostility and polarization,” Archbishop Kaigama said, cautioning against some religious leaders in Africa’s most populous nation who “complicate issues by their unhelpful statements that polarize and antagonize.”
The 62-year-old Archbishop also addressed himself to political leaders and civil servants in the West African nation saying, “Religious pettiness culminating in needless quarrels and tensions is sometimes spearheaded surprisingly by intelligent and well exposed Nigerians, and even some leaders in government.”
Making reference to Palm Sunday readings, with crowds sang “hosanna” while welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem and shouting “crucify him” on Good Friday, the Nigerian Archbishop said, “There should be a lesson for some leaders who promote political, religious and ethnic violence that the behavior of thugs they use is unpredictable.”
He explained in reference to leaders in Nigeria who lack the consistency of leading with integrity as agents of peace, “Today, they are with you but when economic conditions or political loyalty change, they can turn against you and violently too.”
As a way forward, the Local Ordinary of Abuja called on leaders in the West African country to be like Jesus who led by example, providing basic needs such as bread, water and healing for the sick and going to Jerusalem though he was aware of the dangers ahead of him.
“For the sake of their people, leaders must be prepared to even take risks injurious to their interests and not merely regard their people as objects of exploitation,” said Archbishop Kaigama.
He called on the people of God in the West African nation to “pray that Nigerians will learn the disposition of humility, the self-giving and unconditional love of Jesus, so that we can witness more peace and progress in our beloved country, waiting to lead the world, someday, somehow.”
Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.
