Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, has advised Nigerians seeking political office in 2023 to avoid bitter politics and instead embrace the spirit of forgiveness, sportsmanship, and brotherliness.
In his Sunday homily at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in Abuja, the cleric urged those seeking political office next year not to engage in activities that would endanger Nigeria’s peace and unity, but to be of good character and committed to the welfare and well-being of the people.
This is a call to mindfulness in our nation, where large sums of money meant for the public good are stolen, misappropriated and diverted by those in political offices and public service. It is not enough to have a change of heart and repent of past sins, but to restore to the rightful owners what is truly theirs.
We continue to hope that the financial crimes and nation crippling activities would be curbed by the relevant financial crime agencies and the recovered assets would be put into judicious use such as building first class, well equipped and properly managed hospitals in every geopolitical zone with citizens having easy access to them. It is so sad that some of these funds are recovered only to be stolen again by others.
In this political season, people, depending on their political leaning, loyalty or sensitivity are filled with morbid fear and demonstrate paranoid political tendencies and hypersensitivity. Some people want to fight their way to power. Some apply the allure of money; some by gentle persuasion, but some, by hook or by crook.
Some are so bitter that they neither forgive nor forget political wrongs even if they profess belief in God. Some exclude dialogue and friendly encounters, and if you dare to say a good word, a positive word, about an opposition partner, or be seen in his/her company you become their instant enemy. This is what I called immature politics or politics without principles or decorum. Such people can unleash venomous anger on others for daring to be different.
Instead of wooing you, they try to antagonise or even dehumanise you; make you feel you are committing an offence. Why fight and be ready to injure others for political interests? Ready to terminate life or assassinate character? Rubbish others even when you know deep within you that it is not right?
Today we should open up our hearts and minds to God, and ask Jesus to reach out to all of us as He did to Zacchaeus. We ask for an outpouring of grace to be true to our personal commitments.