From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Reverend (Dr) Charles Harmawa, has said that the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to follow some of its procedures in the last election is a major blow to the confidence most Nigerians reposed in the electoral system.
He also set agenda for the newly elected office holders while urging Nigerians to toe the path of peace. He also talked about the preparations for the ordination and installation of a bishop for the new Wukari Diocese in Taraba and other sundry issues. Excerpts:
What is your take on the last election?
Well, on the bright side of it, I think many Nigerians showed that they have woken up to the reality that they must go out to exercise their rights to participate in the process of choosing who leads them. Again, Nigerians are now more critical about the individuals rather than just the political parties as it was in the past. I think the general situation of things in the country with challenges of insecurity, dying economy and unprecedented hardship made people to participate more actively to better the situation. On the other side, we were given a lot of assurances regarding the BVAS and all so people had confidence that their votes will count this time, and for me that was partly responsible for the active participation in the last election. So, on the whole, people expected that the election would run smoothly and there won’t be so much issues as it turned out, to the extent that some INEC officials were seen to have compromised and worked for the interest of some candidates. I think that is the most disappointing thing in recent times for most Nigerians. Pockets of violence and other irregularities were there, but people were just largely disappointed with the electoral umpire. And then the silence and coldness from the government of the day is also very disturbing. Now, we worry about the uneasy calm that has followed. This could be the quiet before the storm or a sign that people have given up on the country. You need to understand that a lot of people had enormous confidence in the electoral body and were very optimistic that this election will be one of a kind. What happened, especially during the national election is really sad. The umpire said time and again that election results would be transmitted via the BVAS from the polling units straight to the IReV real time.This would have corrected a lot of the anormalies and would have drastically reduced the chances of the results being manipulated. Unfortunately, that wasn’t done and people are really sad about this. Now, we have everyone saying if you are not satisfied, then go to court. Yes, the tribunals have been set up and people have the option to pursue these cases all the way. But then I think if there was justice and fairness on the part of the umpire and the government, there won’t have been need for that. If people see that they lose elections fairly, there won’t be need to go to any court. It is pure waste of time and resources. Even those who have rightly or wrongly won the election would be wasting time and resources tackling court cases rather than settling down for governance. It is a major setback for everyone and it’s really bad for our democracy and nation as a whole. Our prayers and calls to everyone is that as much as possible, violence and destruction should not be allowed a chance at all. We cannot afford an uprising at this time. The sanctity of human lives must be respected and all the threats flying all over should be shelved. Those making inciting statements all over the social media should desist because there is no need to further heat up the polity.
The Department of State Services has issued an alarm that there is a plot by some persons to create confusion and disrupt a smooth transition. What do you make of it?
The first question to ask is that who is planning this interim government and to whose interest? Is it constitutional? That is why I said I am worried by the uneasy calm. It shows that there may be so much going on underground that could be very explosive when it comes out. Why does it look as of this has been preplanned even before the election? Why is the government not questioning the suspects already? Why are we not seeing arrests and serious actions already? This is not something that should be used as media hype. We are talking about a civil coup de ta here. For me, this is not good at all. It portends serious threats that should be addressed with every iota of seriousness. Once you have an interim government in place, you are calling for Marshall Law. For me, those who are behind it should desist so that we would have a smooth transition of government and whoever the courts returns as the duly elected should be allowed to go.
Governorship election in Taraba State was preceded by loads of last minute endorsements, the most controversial coming from the CAN. What do you make of all these?
It is a very complex problem in the sense that we have allowed ourselves to be dragged into the abnormal for too long and to wriggle out is not going to be so easy or a smooth exercise at all. This is further compounded by the fact that as human beings, we have our different views on life, irrespective of our bounds along ethnic, religious, or other affiliations. But then there are certain overriding principles that should guide us. In the Catholic Church, while the priests are not allowed to participate in partisan politics, we are all political beings both as clergy and lay faithful. And so we can educate and give people a sense of direction. The issue is to draw the line between the education and actual indoctrination of the congregation to follow a specific candidate or political party. For instance, I don’t think there would ever be a time that all the members of my congregation would be inclined towards one candidate or political party, even if I am the one contesting. So, by the time you start saying this is the candidate or party that they should follow, you are already dividing the congregation. That is why, as a principle, we don’t do that in the he Catholic Church. It doesn’t mean you cannot consciously say this person is a better option. Again, how do you go about doing that? For instance, it is wrong going publicly to make such announcement dogmatically. Again, in the process leading to that, how much consultation was made? How much of consultation was there. So these are the thorns in the matter and the best way out is to avoid it all together. But then again, like I said, our minds work differently.
A Catholic priest has emerged the governor of Benue State. How do you feel about this?
Well, principles must be stated. By law, no Catholic priest should go into partisan politics or hold political position. In fact, they are not even allowed to join the civil service. Special Apostolates like lecturing in the university can be allowed and they can earn a legitimate salary there. But elective office as such is not allowed. The sanction is that you are suspended from administering as a priest. Is after everything, the person repents and comes back as it was in the case of the late Adasu, the Church will consider them and after a period of spiritual exercise, he will be reinstated. If, however, the priest insists to continue, the final stage is to seek his declericasation which is a very long process that would lead back to Rome. The law is clear and simple. But again as it is in every society, no matter how you preach, some people will find a reason not to obey. That’s why there are sanctions and procedures when people break the laws.
What is your call to those who have been elected into positions during the last elections, particularly Taraba State governor elect, Lt. Col. Kefas Agbu?
I can go along with the fact that some experience is needed in certain fields of endeavour before you can achieve anything. So, those who say he doesn’t have a political experience may have a point, but the leadership experience does not mean one must have held a political post. Exposure in lots of ways can prepare someone for these things. He is coming from a military background and to have risen to the position he held in the military, in one form or the other he must have been involved in administrative matters. Politics is an administrative matter as well. I am told he was a key member of the people who drove negotiations for amnesty in the Niger Delta. Even though that’s not an elective office, I personally believe that is a lot to go on. Again, when it comes to chosing a leader there are certain things to look out for, first of which is a very sincere motive on the part of the individual. What is the intention from your heart of hearts, before God and for the sake of humanity? What do I want to offer in this job. If it’s to serve people, promote common good, promote justice and peace, that’s enough. Having that good intention and the determination not to be swayed by any influence from godfathers is enough for anyone to seek any elective post. Whether the person is Christian, Muslim or atheist, God will guide him to a reasonable level of achieving what he or she wants to give in that office. There are technicalities about coming forth with economic policies and those are good. You will also need experts in those areas, but if you are focused and sharp he will receive good advice in those areas and work with them. Even those with experience began from somewhere too. There’s something called on-the-job training. If one puts their hearts to it, they will pick up.
What area do you think the president-elect should focus more attention on once he comes to office?
First, he should unite this country and let us see ourselves as brothers and people of Nigeria. We are humans made with intelligence and we can find a solution to divergent views and reach a common ground. What you want is peace, shelter and food for yourself. Why can’t we do that for everyone and give everyone an opportunity to get that? Why does everyone want to get for themselves alone? Just like the country’s motto, unity and peace, nothing should distract them from this. Forget about sharing the national cake. You can only talk of that when everyone gets it and not just a select few. If you don’t build unity and peace, no economic programme can thrive, they will crumble. That is why in areas where there are agitations, when they see a development, they try to pull it down because of the feeling of deprivation. If we are united and everyone has a sense of belonging, we will not go destroying ourselves or the physical development we have on ground. Just remove religious and ethnic bigotry, parochialism, fight against those things. That for me is the way forward.
Can you give us insight into the dates for Easter celebration and the idea of movable feast?
Easter follows the lunar calendar. It shifts a little in the course of the year, but then you will notice it is always in the first or second quarter of the year. Maybe late February, sometimes March or April, but no matter the shift, the proper celebration is always on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But simply put, the shift is due to the fact that it is calculated according to the lunar calendar, that is why it is not like Christmas that can fall on a Monday or Tuesday or any day. It shouldn’t be a scandal because even the Christmas, some people ask how we are sure it’s a 25th. No one said December 25th is precisely the date on which our Lord was born. Christianity grew from peganism, not just the traditional religion of the people. The Romans celebrated the God of birth on that day, so it’s just like taking over and christening it, that’s why it’s on that day. What we can never deny is that Jesus was born and we can’t deny that he died and rose from the dead. The dates are inconsequential to a certain degree.
We are preparing for the erection of the Wukari Diocese and installation of new bishop. Of what significance is this to the Catholic community?
By the announcement of 14th December 2022, Wukari Diocese has been created already, but what we are preparing for is the ordination and installing and taking over by the bishop and by that the diocese is now erected. It is certainly a thing of joy, it’s like celebrating the birth of a child which is always a good news to every community or family. What this means is that the church in Jalingo diocese has worked hard, preaching the gospel and doing services to humanity. The workload is growing and can no longer be under one administration so there is need now to have a grassroots government that can reach the people. Jalingo Diocese to be looked after by one bishop is too much so one has to be created nearer to the people because by the time I am going round some parishes won’t see me for one or two years. The church preaches not only salvation of one, but of many souls and also extension of those services that touch the physical. Of course, it comes with huge responsibilities. So, I have been telling the church since that all must come together to build this new diocese, grow this new baby and bring it to maturity. We will have to work together until they acquire character and adulthood not only in Jalingo, but also the country entirely so we continue to do that mandate given to us by Christ.
What challenges is the Diocese facing with the preparation for the ceremony?
Bluntly, the challenges are just financial. To be able to welcome guests, take good care of them, involves money. But the whole diocese has been preparing for it gradually even so we had to look elsewhere and make appeal to people of goodwill and intensify local efforts to meet up demands. The event will pull a large crowd. It’s like the whole Conference of Nigerian Bishops will be in Wukari because we are counting nearly 50 bishops to be there. That is the major challenge. Every other thing is under control. The good thing is that God is helping us.
What is your call to Nigerians while we await swearing in and take off of the new administration?
I join others calling for calm and going about it in the most peaceful and legal way even if some have lost confidence in the legal system. Once they have their facts, let’s trust in God to do everything for us and even if we are going to do anything outwardly to show our discontent let’s do it within the limits of the law. If you are fighting a lion who is prepared for you, you must find a way to calm it down else you will cry at the end of the day. Sometimes government has been insensitive to lawful protests, the EndSARS is still fresh in our minds. If you do that and provoke them and you die, you may have died for a cause, but then you would have been gone leaving aged parents and dependents. So, let’s go about it peacefully. I think God is begining to listen to our prayers, things will take shape, it may take a longer time, but it will happen. Let’s trust in that and do what we can do without violence, crime and destruction of property.