The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Emeritus, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has criticised political leaders across the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government who misuse power to oppress the people, warning that power ultimately belongs to God, to whom they will be held accountable.
Delivering a homily at the 17th edition of St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Holy Family Catholic Church, Life Camp, Abuja, on Sunday, Onaiyekan cautioned that those in positions of authority must exercise power with the awareness that they will answer to God for their actions.
Addressing the congregation, which included Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population and National Identity Management Commission, the cleric took the opportunity to send a message to Nigeria’s political class.
“I think I see one now, Senator Umeh, the man with the big red hat. You’re most welcome. Senator Umeh doesn’t belong to Edo/Delta, but you know politicians are always looking for ways and means of advertising themselves. He is the senator representing Anambra Central zone in the Senate,” Onaiyekan said.
“You are most welcome to join in this. And through you, we are reaching out to all those big men that God has put in charge of us. God put them in charge of us.
“You know what? Since power belongs to God, anybody who holds power is holding it in the name of God. No matter how you collected the power, whether because you staged a coup with a gun, even if you rigged an election and the Supreme Court declares you ruler, you should not forget power belongs to God. That is serious.
“What that means is that you are going to give account to God for how you are using this power. The people may be helpless, like we all are right now. The people may not be able to challenge you, and you may think you are getting away with anything. No way! God’s record is always straight and comprehensive. So, we warn them.
“That’s why we are praying for them, that all may work according to God’s will – seek justice, equity, goodness, kindness, and peace, above all, above personal, political, and other interests.
“So, senator, you have a message. I don’t know how you will carry it to your brothers and sisters. For me, Cardinal, I have done my own part.”
On the issue of forgiveness, Onaiyekan stated that no sin was beyond redemption but observed that many people, including political leaders, were unwilling to seek forgiveness. He alleged that some of them engage in wrongdoing yet obtain court rulings to justify their actions.
“But you know to ask for forgiveness entails that we admit we have done wrong. And this admission that we have done wrong is so difficult for us because of our pride. We see people do horrible things and are proud of it, and they justify it.
“They can even get court judgments to support it and justify it. If we don’t acknowledge our sins, how would we ask for forgiveness? If we don’t ask for forgiveness, how will God forgive us?”
The Cardinal further warned political leaders not to suppress public outcry over the state of affairs, whether on social media or elsewhere, stressing that people have a right to express their frustrations.
“You can’t stop people suffering from crying. And you know whenever you are crying, the Lord is listening to you.
“Don’t be tired of crying. I’m not tired of crying. I will continue to cry about…this country has enough to make us reasonably happy.
“The country has the wherewithal to make everybody happy, not everybody stinkingly rich. No. God does not provide for all our greed. God has provided for all our needs,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with the biblical suffering of the Israelites in Egypt, Onaiyekan reminded leaders that the poor and oppressed may lack the means to resist their afflictions, but God remains their ultimate deliverer.
Quoting from the book of Exodus, he said, “I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of the land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”
The Emeritus Archbishop called for prayers for those in power, urging them to remember that leadership is a divine trust and that the suffering of the people must not be ignored.
He also encouraged members of the Edo/Delta Catholic community in Abuja to embrace their cultural heritage without compromising their Christian faith.
“You do not have to choose between your Christian faith and your Edo/Delta culture. Both can and must enrich each other. And I believe that’s what we are celebrating here this day in this church,” he admonished.