Northern Christians back Catholic Bishops, tackle Bwala

The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has expressed support for the Catholic Bishops following their recent engagement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while urging the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, to avoid comments it believes could create unnecessary divisions within the Christian community.

The association stated that the Catholic Bishops’ meeting with President Tinubu focused on matters of national interest, including issues affecting Christians and the wider Nigerian society, and should not be viewed through a denominational or partisan lens. Blueprint reports

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the NCA said the bishops’ intervention was intended to contribute to national development through constructive engagement with the President.

Calls for Christian unity

Hayab said the association would continue to promote unity among Christians across denominational lines, stressing that the NCA comprises members from various Christian traditions, including the Catholic Church, Baptist, ECWA, Methodist, Anglican, Pentecostal and other denominations.

According to him, the diversity within the association reflects the broader unity of the Christian faith, making attempts to create divisions among believers both unnecessary and unhelpful.

“We should tell Bwala to know that Catholics are Christians and Nigerians.

“Our members are Catholics, Baptist, ECWA, Methodist, Anglican, Pentecostals and people of all denominations. We refuse to be divided by politics that seeks to create unnecessary differences among Christians,” Hayab said.

He maintained that the Catholic Bishops who met with the President represented concerns shared by many Nigerians and were not speaking solely on behalf of the Catholic Church.

Bishops deserve respect, says NCA

The NCA chairman said the Cardinal and the bishops who visited the President deserved respect for offering what he described as sincere counsel on issues affecting the country.

According to him, the discussions with the President centred on matters relating to national development, the welfare of citizens and the wellbeing of the Christian community.

“Our Cardinal is our respected leader and the bishops who visited the President went to speak to him about humanity, Christians and all Nigerians, not only Catholics,” he said.

Hayab added that constructive advice from respected religious leaders should be appreciated as part of efforts to strengthen governance and promote national progress.

He said such engagements should be seen as contributions towards finding solutions to the country’s challenges rather than occasions for public disagreement.

Appeal for constructive engagement

The association urged public office holders and political appointees to focus on addressing the concerns raised by stakeholders instead of engaging in exchanges that could divert attention from substantive national issues.

Hayab said religious leaders have continued to play important roles in promoting peace, national unity and social cohesion, adding that their contributions should be treated with the seriousness they deserve.

He expressed the view that government officials should embrace constructive criticism offered in good faith as part of democratic governance.

“An honest counsel has been given to Mr. President for his own good and for a better Nigeria,” he stated.

The NCA chairman further cautioned against what he described as excessive emphasis on political messaging at the expense of responding to the concerns of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, those entrusted with public responsibility should remain focused on policies and actions capable of improving the lives of citizens.

National interest should come first

Hayab stressed that Nigeria’s current socio-economic and security challenges require collective efforts from government, religious leaders, civil society and other stakeholders.

He said public discourse should encourage unity, mutual respect and collaboration rather than deepen divisions among citizens.

“Sadly, if things do not improve, we shall all suffer together and live to see our country not growing as it should be,” he said.

The NCA chairman reaffirmed the association’s confidence in the Catholic Bishops, describing them as patriotic leaders committed to the peace, stability and progress of the country.

“The NCA knows that our Catholic Bishops mean well and love the President and the country. Their intervention was motivated by genuine concern for Nigeria and its people,” he added.

Background

The statement follows reactions that trailed the recent meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, during which the clerics raised concerns over national issues, including the economy, insecurity and the welfare of Nigerians.

While the meeting generated public debate, the Northern Christian Association maintained that religious leaders have a legitimate role in offering constructive advice on issues of public importance.

The association therefore called on all stakeholders to promote respectful dialogue, national unity and issue-based engagement in the interest of peace, democratic governance and the continued development of Nigeria.