NATIONAL SECURITY: Akume Admonishes Bishops On Trust, Responsible Speeches

"The Church has a critical role to play in preventing conflict, strengthening national unity and mobilising citizens for peaceful participation in the democratic process." Says Akume, representing President Bola Tinubu 

"National security should not be left solely to the military, police and intelligence agencies. 

.... “Security also begins with trust, social cohesion, early warning and responsible speech.”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has urged religious leaders to make peacebuilding, social cohesion and responsible speech central to their roles in safeguarding Nigeria’s national security ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Akume made the call on Wednesday at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, while representing President Bola Tinubu at the 12th Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

The SGF said the Church had a critical role to play in preventing conflict, strengthening national unity and mobilising citizens for peaceful participation in the democratic process.

According to him, national security should not be left solely to the military, police and intelligence agencies, stressing that “security also begins with trust, social cohesion, early warning and responsible speech.”

Akume urged the bishops to use their influence to promote peace and cautioned against the politicisation of the pulpit.

“Elections will come and go, but Nigeria must remain. As Charismatic Bishops and fathers of faith, you have a decisive role to play, not in determining the winner, but in helping to ensure that Nigeria does not lose,” he said.

He also charged the religious leaders to speak against vote-buying, hate speech and the weaponisation of ethnicity and religion, while encouraging peaceful and conscientious participation in the 2027 elections.

The SGF further appealed to the Church to partner with government in youth empowerment, education, peacebuilding, civic responsibility and humanitarian services.

On the economy, Akume, in a statement issued and signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, acknowledged the hardship occasioned by the ongoing reforms, saying the Federal Government recognised the sacrifices Nigerians had made and would ensure that the reforms ultimately translated into improved living conditions.

He said the administration was shifting its focus towards household recovery, with emphasis on affordable food, jobs, infrastructure, healthcare and social protection.

“Government recognises the fact that these reforms come with some inevitable pains and that Nigerians have significantly endured. We commend our citizens for their patriotism and resilience and assure them that it would never be in vain as promised by the President,” Akume stated.

On security, he disclosed that the government had recorded intelligence-led breakthroughs, including the rescue in August of 308 abducted citizens from Kwara and Niger states, but acknowledged that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts and other forms of criminality remained challenges.

He said religious leaders, as influential social mobilisers and peacebuilding actors, must therefore see peacebuilding as an integral component of national security.

Akume also said the Renewed Hope Agenda remained focused on reducing hardship, creating opportunities, simplifying the fiscal regime and providing relief for vulnerable Nigerians and businesses.

He subsequently declared the 12th Synod of the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria open.