….. Assures Christians of Equity, Fairness
From John Adams, Minna
The Niger State Governor-elect, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago has assured the Christian Community in the state of fair treatment in the discharge of his duty as governor of the state, saying that his administration will be anchored on equity, justice and fairness to all and sundry.
The Governor-elect gave the assurance on Sunday during a special church service as part of activities lined up for his inauguration held at the St. Michael Catholic Cathedral in Minna the Niger state capital.
The Governor-elect who was present alongside his Deputy Governor-elect, Comrade Yakubu Garba throughout the two hours inauguration church service, said Nigerian Leaders have failed in the past and have condescended to religious issues in politics, stressing that it high time the new crop of Nigerian leaders do away with such trash and think of ourselves, 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 in the state of equal treatment in his administration, the three time member, House of Representative 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 submitted.
While soliciting for continue prayers for his administration, Bago used the occasion to remind the people of the state that some policies and programme of the administration at the beginning might not be very comfortable for all of us “we will remain focus. Everything that is good comes with its own consequences”.
Earlier, the Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Rev Dr Martins Uzoukwu said the coming before the lord of the governor-elect and his Deputy to seek for 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.
Bishop Martins who was represented by the Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev Dr Sylvester Gupep during the homily described the Governor-elect as a game changer especially 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, Rev, Dr, 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 in the state”.
