Sunday 9 May 2021: The Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan, His Grace Most Rev Dr. Leke Abegunrin, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign as he lack the capacity to guaranty safety of lives and properties of Nigerians which is the primary responsibility of any leader.
He made this call in an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA at St Rita Catholic Church Arometa, Ibadan, where he celebrated Mass and officiated the Sacrament of Confirmation of one hundred and thirteen Catholics.
He bemoaned the security situation in the country and the incessant killings of innocent citizens.
He said, “Well, it is sad that almost every day, you hear about shedding of blood and it is like they cannot handle it. The system of handling it, I think it is terrible, that soldiers cannot even act without been commanded, even the police, and they are killing soldiers, they are killing the police, what about ordinary people.
“Whatever they need to do, they should do it now and if the President cannot handle it the best bet for him is to resign.
“If the president knows he cannot handle the security situation instead of waiting to be impeached, it is better he resign; to impeach him would be disgraceful. It is honourable for him to resign.”
He also advised that any democratic government should be a listening one because they were elected by the people to serve them.
According to him, “Nigerian government would have to listen to candid advice on how to move the country forward, you listen to very distinguished Nigerians and what they are saying, it is a good thing that the government should listen to them.
“Government should not say it is their own, No, it is our own, they are there to serve, they are our servants really. But, when they turned against their own people; then that is bad.
Speaking on the processes of Sacrament of Confirmation, Abegunrin said, “We normally prayed over them for the gift of the Holy Spirit. We encourage them to live as Christians, and to serve humanity, because you cannot say you are a Christian and you are not ready to serve. You have to serve in the church, in the community, and at home. With that now, we are telling them that they have become soldiers of Jesus Christ and be good example to other young members in faith who are looking up to them.
Earlier, the Parish Priest of St Rita Catholic Church Arometa, Ibadan, Very Rev. Fr. Felix Ethaoemi had presented the 113 candidates to the Bishop for confirmation. He thanked the assistant Parish Priest, Rev Fr Dansuma Okpanachi Christian, who took time to prepare them  by teaching and training of the confirmees with the assistance of other  teachers.