Follow Us on Google
• Says 308 abducted Nigerians rescued
___________________________________________________________
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has urged Christian leaders to make peacebuilding a central part of Nigeria’s national security strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against the use of religious platforms to inflame political tensions.
Akume gave the charge on Wednesday at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, while representing President Bola Tinubu at the 12th Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.
The SGF said the country’s security challenges could not be tackled by the military, police and intelligence agencies alone, stressing that “national security also begins with trust, social cohesion, early warning and responsible speech.”
He therefore challenged the Church to deploy its considerable influence to prevent violence, promote dialogue and strengthen national unity.
“The Church must therefore see peacebuilding as part of national security,” Akume said.
With political activities expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, Akume charged the bishops to use their pulpits to promote peaceful participation and protect Nigeria’s democratic process.
He said religious leaders should not attempt to determine electoral winners but should ensure that political contests do not threaten the survival of the country.
“Elections will come and go, but Nigeria must remain,” he said.
Akume urged the bishops to speak out against vote-buying, hate speech and the weaponisation of ethnicity and religion, warning that political competition must not degenerate into conflict.
He also delivered a pointed warning against the politicisation of the pulpit.
“I urge you to please refrain from turning the pulpit into an instrument of incitement instead of the sanctuary of conscience,” he said, adding that an election “must never become a war for survival.”
The SGF also acknowledged the economic difficulties Nigerians have experienced as a result of the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms, saying the administration was aware of the sacrifices citizens had made.
He commended Nigerians for their resilience and patriotism, assuring them that their sacrifices would not be in vain.
According to him, while recent World Bank assessments point to improving macroeconomic stability, the government’s next priority is to ensure that economic recovery translates into tangible improvements in household welfare.
Other News
“This government is focusing on recovery of household incomes from poverty and will never relent until when reform succeeds and translates to affordable food, jobs, better infrastructure, health services and dignity for the ordinary citizen,” Akume said.
He said this was at the heart of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he described as being focused on reducing hardship, creating opportunities, simplifying the fiscal regime and providing relief for vulnerable Nigerians and businesses.
Akume said government was also expanding interventions in education, healthcare, social protection and community resilience.
He added that the administration would continue to listen to citizens, correct areas requiring adjustment, protect vulnerable groups and strengthen accountability so that the benefits of reforms could increasingly be felt across the country.
On security, Akume disclosed that the government had recorded what he described as encouraging intelligence-led breakthroughs, including the rescue in August of 308 abducted citizens from Kwara and Niger States.
He, however, acknowledged that significant security challenges remain, with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and other forms of criminal violence continuing to affect families and communities.
The SGF said tackling the challenges required greater cooperation between government institutions, communities and religious organisations.
He described religious leaders as influential social mobilisers with an important role in preventing and managing conflicts, urging the Church to strengthen its contribution to early warning, peacebuilding and social cohesion.
Beyond security and elections, Akume called on the Synod to explore deeper collaboration with government in youth empowerment, education, civic responsibility, humanitarian intervention and peacebuilding.
He said the government needed the moral influence of religious institutions while the Church also required an enabling civic environment to maximise its contribution to society.
“Government needs the moral reach of the Church and the Church needs an enabling civic environment to thrive. Above all, Nigeria needs both, to work perfectly, for the common good,” he said.
Akume reaffirmed the administration’s appreciation for the prayers and humanitarian contributions of the Church, saying President Tinubu valued its role in promoting peace, national cohesion and moral formation.
He also described a listening government as one that must be prepared not only to explain its policies but also to learn, adjust and improve.
He subsequently declared the 12th Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria open.
