The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has thrown its weight behind the Catholic Bishops following their recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, cautioning the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, against what it described as divisive politics capable of undermining Christian unity.
The association said the Catholic Bishops who met with the President spoke on issues affecting not only Catholics but also Christians and Nigerians in general, insisting that their message centred on national interest, humanity and good governance.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said the association would not allow anyone to create divisions within the Christian community for political reasons.
He stressed that members of the NCA cut across all major Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, Baptist, ECWA, Methodist, Anglican, Pentecostal and other churches.
“We should tell Bwala to know that Catholics are Christians and Nigerians.
“Our members are Catholics, Baptists, ECWA members, Methodists, Anglicans, Pentecostals and people of all denominations. We refuse to be divided by Bwala’s politics of division,” Hayab stated.
He said the Cardinal and the Catholic Bishops who visited President Tinubu deserved respect, noting that they met with the President to discuss issues concerning humanity, Christians and the welfare of all Nigerians rather than matters affecting only the Catholic Church.
“Our Cardinal is our respected leader, and the Bishops who visited the President went to speak to him about humanity, Christians and all of us, not only Catholics,” he said.
Hayab described it as “shameful and a disservice” to President Tinubu for his spokesperson to disrespect the Cardinal, maintaining that the bishops offered honest counsel intended to help the President succeed and move the country forward.
“It is therefore shameful and a disservice to Tinubu for his spokesperson to disrespect our Cardinal.
“Honest counsel has been given to Mr President for his own good and for a better Nigeria,” he added.
The NCA Chairman further warned that any government official who chooses propaganda over addressing the genuine concerns of citizens is doing more harm than good to the nation.