George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation
(SGF), says the President Bola Tinubu administration will strengthen its
engagement with Catholic bishops.
He also rejected claims that the administration is bent on
making the country a one-party state.
In a statement on Wednesday, Akume said most of Nigeria’s
challenges require collaboration between government, faith communities,
traditional institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector and
citizens.
The SGF said the government will strengthen engagement with
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and other stakeholders to
address the country’s challenges.
The statement follows recent engagement between President
Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the CBCN.
Akume said the government would continue consultations with
the Catholic bishops and other faith-based organisations on issues affecting
the country.
He added that the Tinubu-led administration remained open to
honest counsel and committed to governing with accountability.
“Many of the challenges confronting our nation require
partnership. Faith communities, traditional institutions, civil society, the
private sector and citizens all have indispensable roles to play in promoting
peace, strengthening social cohesion and advancing national development.
Constructive engagement between Government and these institutions is therefore
not only welcome but essential,” the statement reads.
Addressing concerns about Nigeria’s democracy, Akume said
the Tinubu administration remained committed to constitutional democracy, the
rule of law and political pluralism.
He rejected suggestions that the government was pursuing a
one-party state, citing the registration of 21 political parties by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as evidence of political
pluralism.
“The federal government neither sought nor supported a
one-party state,” the statement reads.
The SGF said the administration would continue to respect
the legal autonomy of INEC and provide resources appropriated for the
commission’s responsibilities.
Akume said the government had noted public reactions to the
meeting between Tinubu and the Catholic bishops.
According to him, the meeting covered concerns about
security, economic hardship, public services, education, electoral credibility,
political pluralism and religious freedom.
He added that both parties also acknowledged progress
recorded by the administration, including the student loan programme and recent
successes by security agencies in securing the release of abducted
schoolchildren and teachers.
Akume said while there were areas of agreement and
disagreement during the discussions, the differences should not be interpreted
as a breakdown in mutual respect or commitment to Nigeria’s peace and unity.
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