In his 2017 Christmas message through the Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, Archbishop Martins warned that any attempt by the political class to jettison restructuring, as is being clamoured for by the masses and members of civil societies, would not only set the nation back, but also affect the 2019 elections.
While noting with dismay that the political class had since commenced activities ahead of the elections, Martins called on Nigerians not to allow themselves to be deceived anymore, but to insist on the building of appropriate and realistic political structures that would help guarantee that they enjoy access to good quality of life and self actualisation, in line with God’s plans for His creatures.
He equally frowned at the recent inhuman treatment meted on Nigerian immigrants and those of other African countries by some Libyans and their collaborators, who sold them into bondage for monetary gains.
According to him, such indignity meted on Africans by fellow Africans, is not only repulsive and evil, but a clear indictment of the leadership for failing to provide the enabling environment for African youths to have access to the basic necessities of life.
He called on the Nigerian government to, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on the economy and set up a realistic roadmap that would stabilise the naira and help the private sector create viable industries that would provide job opportunities for the youth.
“We need to be true to ourselves. We cannot be talking of 2019, when little is being done at the moment to address the rot in the system. Our people are going hungry daily; our youths are dying in their quest for better options to life outside our shores and yet our leaders appear more concerned with how to clinch to power.
“I think the time has come for all of us to reason together to resolve and restructure the current the lopsided political structures we are currently operating and set up realistic goals that would help move us forward. Except all these are given top priority, I fear that the 2019 election may end up a mirage, after all,” he said.
While congratulating Christians on the occasion of the birth of Christ, he reminded them to always put their trust in Jesus Christ, who is the reason for the season, noting that “the season of advent should also enable us to prepare with hope and expectation for the second coming of our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ.”
and then