I never called for Buhari’s arrest – Catholic bishop

The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, has called on politicians canvassing for elective posts to discuss ideas and policies that would enhance the growth and development of the country.
The bishop also dissociated himself from an online report published on Friday, January 9, 2015 which claimed he called for the arrest and prosecution of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Mohammadu Buhari, over unguarded statements.
The bishop said he was not aware of the online report until he started receiving calls from friends.
He said: “A story was published in 2012 by The Punch and some newspapers on my comment on the alleged statement by Maj. Gen. Buhari after the 2011 general elections in Nigeria. It is the story that the dirty people are now manipulating as an interview I just granted in 2015.”
He described the online story as a practical example of “politics of desperation and manipulation”, describing those behind the story as dirty and agents of “division and darkness.”
The bishop, who decried the pathetic situation of the country, called on Nigerians, including religious leaders, to work together to avoid total collapse of the country.
He added: “Inevitably, this is the actual time for change and we must not allow the wind of change to pass us by. All of us, including religious leaders, must work together for this change if we do not want Nigeria to collapse totally.”
While calling for sincerity of all stakeholders towards ensuring credible elections, Bishop Ajakaye called for the prosecution of anybody found culpable in election rigging.
“In the same way, the judiciary must live up to expectation. It must maintain its independence and identity, rather than be in the pockets of the executive. To avoid unnecessary tension and crisis in our society, the judiciary must strive to speed up the various election petitions.”
The bishop described politics as a clean game which he noted is for service and good governance.

loading...