By Charles Igwe
Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his influence and deter the heads of state from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from resorting to military force to suppress the coup plotters in Niger Republic.
Archbishop Ugorji made this plea during a pastoral visit to inaugurate the Mary Mother of God Catholic Parish in Upe, Ngor Okpala local council area of Imo State.
Highlighting recent developments, Archbishop Ugorji expressed concern over the meeting of ECOWAS heads of state in Abuja, where they granted the coup plotters in Niger Republic a week to reinstate democratic leadership or risk military intervention. However, he emphasized that while changing government through force was wrong, shedding blood was equally condemnable.
He urged President Tinubu to discourage ECOWAS leaders from resorting to war, appealing for an end to the impending bloodshed that could result from military intervention.
Archbishop Ugorji acknowledged the complexities surrounding the coup plotters’ motivations and the ECOWAS decision. He cautioned against any military expedition in Niger and stressed the disastrous consequences that could arise from military intervention.
He reminded the Nigerian government that an attack on Niger could lead to an influx of Nigerien citizens seeking refuge in Nigeria, a scenario that would exacerbate the ongoing economic challenges in the country.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by Nigerians, Archbishop Ugorji encouraged unity and love among citizens, urging them to persevere in the face of adversity and to put an end to the ongoing violence in various states of the nation.
