Placard-carrying Catholic faithful on Thursday marched on the streets of Calabar to celebrate this year’s World Day of Peace and urged politicians to concentrate on issue-based politics rather than acrimony.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the placards read: “we want issue-based politics; respect to life and property; may God protect Nigeria from her enemies.’’
Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, the Director of Church and Society, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, who addressed them, said that the universal theme for the peaceful procession is “No Longer Slaves, But Brothers and Sisters.’’
According to him The World Day of Peace, a uniquely Catholic celebration, takes place on the first day of the New Year.
He said that the peace march was different from the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21 as declared by the United Nations.
He added that “although the universal theme is `No Longer Slaves, But Brothers and Sisters’; just for the March, we chose an ancillary theme of `Blessed Are the Peace Makers’.
“This is based on the reality in our nation, with regards to the 2015 elections. This procession is also taking place in Lagos, Owerri and Kaduna.
“At last, we have crossed into 2015, the year that can be named the Year of Apprehension, going by the different predictions and projections about Nigeria.’’
According to the priest, the security challenges and the forthcoming elections and the dwindling economy make 2015 a contentious year.
He, however, added that “in spite of all these challenges, there is hope for Nigeria and Nigerians.
“We can still overcome these challenges as a nation, if we resist the temptation to act in a manner unworthy of our humanity. “According to Pope Francis, tragically, the growing scourge of man’s exploitation by man gravely damages the life of communion and our calling to forge interpersonal relations marked by respect, justice and love.
“The greatest tragedy of exploitation experienced in Nigeria today is the rape of the treasury by politicians and high class civil servants and the attendant breakdown of national unity as collateral damage.’’
He advised politicians to stop what he called “primitive personal amassment of national resources and never service to the people.’’
He urged the electorate to publicly embarrass any politician who tried to use them as instruments of violence in 2015, stressing that “come February 2015, we should go out en mass and vote, otherwise it gives room for politicians to thump print ballot papers.
“We should wait outside the perimeter and witness the public counting of votes at our polling units and keep a record of the results.
“We should stop hate speech in social media and everywhere and work and pray for the peace of Nigeria.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we the citizens should determine the fate of politicians rather than allowing them to determine our fate.
“Let us pray and at least resolve as citizens that we shall not contribute in any way toward the realisation of the negative predictions about our country Nigeria.
“This peaceful procession is an indication that we as citizens are ready to stand up for the peace and unity of our country.’’
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