24th July, 2014
Chief Odigie Oyegun, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised politicians to shun utterances that could disrupt peaceful co-existence among the different ethnic nationalities in the country.
Oyegun gave the advice in Abuja on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese.
He said that out of desperation to capture or retain power; some politicians are making inflammatory statements that could have long-term negative implication on the unity and progress of the country.
He urged politicians to stop playing the blame game considering the high level of insecurity in the country.
He called on politicians, irrespective of their political affiliations, to unite against the common enemy of Nigeria, stressing that it required the collective efforts of all to fight terrorism.
“Nigerians should unite to face this reality, it is a pan-Nigeria problem, and therefore, all hands must be on deck to fight insurgency in Nigeria,” Oyegun said.
He added that Nigeria was going through a very difficult period in its history, saying “it is divided by poverty, religion and political differences.”
He said the visit was to seek prayers and spiritual guidance for the new leadership of the APC.
“My appeal to the Cardinal is that the truth should be spoken to all of us either in government or those aspiring to be in government.”
Responding, Onaiyekan advised politicians to play the game in a rational and peaceful way, adding that political differences should not be a reason for rancour
He said that the basic principles, values and rule of democracy should be protected at all costs for sustainable development.
The Cardinal warned that Boko Haram was a symptom of a wider disease which if not properly addressed, could result to another challenge.