Palm Sunday: Archbishop Kaigama advocates equal opportunity, judicial neutrality in 2027 elections
Palm Sunday: Archbishop Kaigama advocates equal opportunity, judicial neutrality in 2027 elections
By Ndukaku Ihe
Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, Ignatius Kaigama, has advocated a level playing opportunity for all individuals and political parties in all processes that would culminate in 2027 general elections.
He also demanded that the judiciary eschew partisanship, rather giving justice to all irrespective of religious, political and ethnic affiliations.
The Archbishop, in his Palm Sunday message delivered at Our Lady, Queen of Nigeria Catholic Church, Abuja, referred the politicians to the life and time of Jesus Christ on earth, whom despite His affluence and influence choose to give peace, justice and service to all particularly the poor.
He said: “We wish that the kind of kingdom our political actors are engaged in today could create hope for our nation, where the poor and the less fortunate are shown that they are valued, and that their state of being poor has not in any way made them second-class citizens.
“This is realizable if only the government can make a preferential option for the poor, provide social insurance, ensure equitable distribution of our commonwealth and resources, see power as service not as domination, and elections as a decent way to promote good governance.
“Sadly, what we hear is frightening. What sort of democracy do we practice that threatens more than it encourages? Intimidates rather than woo? Don’t blame people when they sarcastically ask whether there will be a democratic environment where people can experience a true election.
“Let these fears be proven wrong; let our leaders disappoint those political sceptics that a decent, civilized election is possible, and where contentions arise, that our security agents, our judiciary and all those entrusted with the sacredness of conducting these elections will ensure that justice is upheld, and all involved will be objective and neutral, rather than dancing to certain interests or the tune of the highest bidders. Let justice be available and accessible to all.”
He asked politicians to realize that public opinion can change at any time, hence the wisdom to be fair to all. “You never know tomorrow. It may be ‘Hosanna’ today and ‘crucify’ tomorrow. Human reactions can unpredictably shift very fast.
“But as Christians, pessimism must not be a vocabulary that characterizes our life, even when we hit rock bottom, or falling into the depths of sin must not make us pessimistic; we must not lose hope. No matter how low we fall, there is always the possibility of rising from it to the heights.”
