The newly inaugurated Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan, Most Reverend Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s attendance at the recently concluded Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia.
At his inauguration ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Peter Aremo in Ibadan on Sunday, Aladekugbe described the president’s participation as unnecessary, given that Nigeria is a secular state.
He argued that while the public may not question the president’s foreign trips, he should be cautious about the nature of the events he attends on behalf of the country.
“There is a need for the National Assembly to caution our President on some of his trips outside the country. No one is trying to tie him down, but his attendance at the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit on behalf of the country is uncalled for,” the cleric said.
“Nigeria is a secular state, and that culture should be upheld. I recall that during President Ibrahim Babangida’s tenure, there was an attempt to enlist Nigeria as a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which was strongly resisted.
“Our position on this matter has not changed. Nigeria has no business with Arab nations or any of their programmes.
“Mr President should represent the entire people of the country, not a particular religion. He should work to uphold the Constitution.
“What he did is an impeachable offence in a normal setting, but let us give him some grace; he is still learning on the job.”
“However, what we are saying is that he must learn quickly to avoid leading us into situations where we do not belong.
In his inauguration as Archbishop of Ibadan Province, he promised to collaborate closely with other bishops in the province to achieve his set goals.
‘A tree does not make a forest.’ The preacher, Diocesan Bishop of Remo and Archbishop of Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, Most Reverend Olusina Fape, had in his sermon advised me to consult widely before making any decision that would benefit the province.
“He spoke wisely. At this level, one must engage in extensive consultation with fellow bishops before anything is undertaken. I may have a vision and ideas, but the right course of action is to share these with them so that it becomes our collective mission.
“We are committed to this approach and will ensure thorough consultations before any action is taken for the benefit of the province.”
The cleric also reassured the people regarding the country’s current economic challenges, expressing optimism that all would be well.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
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