The Archbishop of Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, on Sunday urged both the federal and state governments to stop people from carrying arms as such act would spell doom for the country
Okoh made this known while addressing journalists at the Cathedral of All Saints, Abakaliki, shortly after commissioning about 135 metres road that leads to the Church which was constructed by the Ebonyi State Government.
He further called on government at all levels and security agencies to sit up on their responsibilities and ensure adequate security of lives and property of Nigerians.
The clergy noted that the responsibility of security lies squarely on the shoulders of the government, adding that securing lives and property of Nigerians is part of the social contract it entered while being voted into power.
“Politics is an agreement between two groups – the people and those who are looking for power. When the politicians came, they asked for power and the people agreed to give them. And the contract is that they will protect the people.
“So, that agreement must be kept. Whether at the federal, state or local government level, it is a contract and that contract must be kept by each party. The contract is that government must provide security, wellbeing, and enabling environment for progress.
“Then the people themselves must obey, honour, and follow. That is the contract. So, the security of the people is squarely that of the government because if you contemplate a situation where everybody will carry weapon, then the country will come to an end.
“This is because nobody will travel; the police cannot even be on the road, because they will attack the police and the soldiers. We don’t want our country to degenerate into a kind of militia country where everybody organizes his own army. It is not right”, he stated.
In a swift reaction, the state Governor, Chief David Umahi, commended Archbishop Okoh, and all Anglican clergymen for their key role in ensuring peace in the country.
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