From John Adams, Minna
Niger State Governor-elect, Mohammed Bago, has assured the Christian community in the state of fair treatment in the discharge of his duty, saying his administration will be anchored on equity, justice and fairness to all and sundry.
The governor-elect gave the assurance, yesterday, during a special church service as part of activities lined up for his inauguration at the St. Michael Catholic Cathedral in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Bago, who was present alongside his deputy governor-elect, Yakubu Garba, throughout the two hours church service, said Nigerian leaders have failed in the past and have condescended to religious issues in politics, stressing that it is time the new crop of Nigerian leaders do away with such trash and think of the masses and make lives better for the people.
Bago pointed out that while the issues of religion does not matter to average Nigerians when carrying out their daily activities, including buying and selling in the market and entry public transport, “our leaders are busy using religion as a subterfuge just to cover up their weaknesses in governance,” adding that “this must stop.”
While assuring the Christian community of equal treatment in his administration, the three time member, House of Representatives, told the congregation that “we have come to ask God for guidance and protection, and give us wisdom to be able to move the state forward.
“We want to work with you and I urged you to work with us. We will not discriminate against any religion and we will not use religion as a subterfuge to bring our government down,” he said.
While soliciting continue prayers for his administration, Bago reminded the people that some policies and programmes of the administration at the beginning might not be very comfortable, saying: “We will remain focus. Everything that is good comes with its own consequences.”
Earlier, Bishop of Minna Diocese, Martins Uzoukwu, said coming before the Lord by the governor-elect and his deputy to seek his protection, direction and guidance.
the first of its kind by any governor-elect in the state, is a sign that something good and unique is coming to Niger State.
Martins, who was represented by the Auxiliary Bishop, Sylvester Gupep, described the governor-elect as a game changer, haven gone through the rudiments of Catholicism, especially as a mass servant.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), Niger State, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, told the governor-elect that his emergence at the governorship poll was the will of God and, therefore, “as Christians we own you prayers because you are the governor of both the Muslims and Christians.”