2019: I’d prefer a younger person at the helm of affairs —Bishop Kuponu

Bishop of the Diocese of Ijebu North, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Right Reverend Dr Solomon Gbetogo Kuponu, in an interaction with RITA OKONOBOH, shares his thoughts on three years of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, how the Federal Government should address herdsmen’s killings, and if he thinks Buhari should seek re-election.

LAST year, you talked about herdsmen attacking some farms within the diocese. Have you experienced anything of the sort this year?

The problems we have in Nigeria are not only about herdsmen’s cattle destroying farmlands. We have challenges with the economy, education sector and even social problems. There have also been security challenges. There have been kidnappings and so many other criminal activities, such that people sometimes find it difficult to believe we are still in Nigeria. It appears Nigeria has become another country entirely. We pray that the government will live up to its responsibility. It is the responsibility of the government to take care of the people and ensure the security of lives and property. These things are lacking in today’s Nigeria and we live in fear every day, as people cannot sleep with their two eyes closed. Government should address the situation as quickly as possible.

Last Tuesday, the Catholic community in Nigeria held a nationwide protest against the killings by herdsmen. How would you advise the Federal Government to address the situation?

The fear of everybody is that Nigeria is no longer a safe place to live in. If people who are worshipping in their church could be attacked and killed just like that, and nobody has been arrested, I think it is not good enough. The people in government, especially the president, should rise up to the occasion and do something. We voted President Buhari in on the promise that he would look after us, and that Nigerians would heave a sigh of relief. It is unfortunate that this is not happening during his tenure. We didn’t vote for a president, who would just be there and nothing much would be happening positively. Citizens are not finding things easy at all; things are very tough. The president should take up his responsibility as the leader of the country.

Less than 72 hours from today, this administration will celebrate its third anniversary. Would you say a celebration is in order?

I don’t think as Nigerians, in that context, we have any reason for celebration. The situation, as we have it today, is very bad. I don’t see what this administration wants to celebrate. Are they celebrating failure? Are they celebrating insecurity? It’s only the issue of corruption that is uppermost on their agenda. Security should also be a top priority. Corruption is not the only problem we have in Nigeria. People are dying; people are starving. So, it’s not enough to say they want to celebrate their third anniversary; there is nothing to celebrate in Nigeria.

You talked about this government focusing on the fight against corruption. Would you say you are satisfied with how the present administration has handled the issue of corruption?

We have been saying it and we will continue to say it that if the government is out to fight corruption, it shouldn’t be a sectional thing. It shouldn’t be so; it should be general. However, we have discovered that it is only the opposition that the attention has been focused on. That is unfair. If you’re fighting corruption, let it be general. Let us find solution to the problem generally. Whoever is found culpable should be made to face justice.

It’s less than a year before the next general election. In recent times, the Christian community has been at the forefront of encouraging its members to take more active interest in politics. What’s your take on this?

My advice is that for the fact that another election is around the corner, we should all be prepared for it. All eligible voters should endeavour to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). If only a few people show interest in voting, that will not help us as a country. So, whether you’re a Christian or Muslim, we should be interested. Don’t sit back and say ‘they should go and do it.’ Nigeria is our country and everybody must be interested in what happens in this country.

President Buhari has indicated his interest to seek re-election. Considering the current realities, do you think he is doing the right thing?

Personally speaking, we want a younger person at the helm of affairs. All these leaders, who are over 70, should retire and allow the younger ones to take over.

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Activities for the diocesan synod

The theme is The People That Know Their God Shall Be Strong and Do Exploits, taken from Daniel 11:32. The synod will take place from Thursday, May 31 till Sunday, June 3, 2018. The opening service will hold at the Cathedral on Thursday at 11am with Bishop Dr Cornelius Adagbada as preacher, while the official opening will be at St. John’s Anglican Church, Oke-Sopen on Friday, and all other programmes will hold at Oke-Sopen, till Sunday, when Bishop Dr Ayo Awosoga of Ijebu Anglican Diocese will preach at the closing service.

Going by your theme, when you consider the challenges Nigerians are currently faced with as it relates to the economy, would you say Nigerians are not serving God enough, which is why they don’t seem to be ‘doing great exploits?’

People have been worshipping God, and when there is hardship, we should be able to endure hardship. Every good soldier should have the capacity to endure, and going by the fact that we are soldiers of Christ, we are not exempt from difficulties. However, the assurance given to us is that even if we pass through fire, God is with us. He is with us, even in our hardship. So, if we can demonstrate our belief, our knowledge of God should be enough to see us through whatever hardship we pass through.