SOJI AJIBOLA, Ibadan
Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN) has expressed concern over mindless killings and other vices across the country.
The PFN was quoted in an Easter message personally signed by its National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke that the Federal Government should step up action in addressing the insecurity in the country.
The statement reads, ‘We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to do more to secure the lives and properties of all Nigerians.
‘We appreciate the sacrifices being made by the Police, the Armed and paramilitary forces to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
‘We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to live up to his promise to guarantee the security of all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity or faith.
“We appeal to him to do more, as the Father of all, to rally Nigerians and ensure that the walls of divide that has polarized Nigerians are brought down.”
It also called the “National Assembly to do more in addressing the issues of insecurity, unemployment, infrastructure deficit, the rot in education and health sectors, especially the issue of out-of-school children.
“We believe that the legislature can do much more to deliver be er governance through the use of its oversight powers, rather than dissipating energy on diversionary bills that do not address the challenges holding Nigerians back.”
Equally calling on the judiciary, PFN appealed that the judiciary at all levels should “continue to live up to the tenets of fairness, transparency, equity and justice in all that they do. We restate our position for a balance in terms of appointments into the Judiciary at the national level, so that there is representation across the different states, geo- political zones and religions, to ensure that justice is not only done, but seen to be done by everyone.”
The PFN further urged all state governors to do more in guaranteeing the security of their people and pay more attention to the needs and welfare of their citizens.
‘We believe that there is a lot more that can be done at the state level, especially in areas such as education, health, where they have concurrent constitutional responsibilities,” PFN said.
“PFN urges the different individuals and groups engaged in all forms of terrorist and violent activities to stop this wanton killing of Nigerians. We urge Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations to lay down their arms and table their grievances so that resolutions can be explored. We appeal to the bandits, herdsmen, kidnappers and the different elements to desist from their criminal activities and give peace a chance,” it added.