A group of northern Christian leaders visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja on Thursday.
The
leaders under the aegis of Arewa Pastors Non-denominational Initiative
for Peace (APNIP) in Nigeria discussed a wide range of issues with the
president.
Expressing satisfaction with his performance, the
religious leaders vowed to expose those working against him within the
Christain fold.
However, while the discussion moved from the
president’s health to economy, anti-graft war and hate speech, not a
word was mentioned about Leah Sharibu, at least from excerpts of the
meeting which was released.
Sharibu is the only Christian among
the 110 students of Government Girls Science and Technical College,
Dapchi, Yobe state, abducted by Boko Haram on February 19.
Apart
from five of her colleagues who reportedly died in captivity, the
insurgents released all the captives. Sharibu rejected the condition
given for her to be free. When asked to renounce her Christain faith,
she dared her abductors.
Among the groups which have mounted pressure on the federal government over Sharibu is the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
During
Easter, the Christain Association of Nigeria (CAN) organised prayers
for the lone schoolgirl. Many churches also offered prayers on her
behalf.
But the Yobe representative of APNIP did not seize the opportunity of being with Buhari to draw attention to Sharibu’s plight.
John
Richard, leader of the delegation, told their host that they had
archbishops and bishops from the 19 northern states, over 45,000
registered pastors, and millions of followers.
While thanking God
for the president’s health, Richard said, “We congratulated ourselves
also because during your health challenge we knowing you to be the
God sent timely leader to rescue and restore Nigeria back to her pride,
fasted and prayed with over one thousand archbishops, bishops, pastors
and evangelist for God to show you mercy and heal you.
“Your
Excellency, we the 19 northern states pastors came together in unity to
speak with one voice to crusade for peace, reconciliation and national
unity of our great country Nigeria which you have already started.”
Richard
also asked the president to support the group for a “peace and unity
national delegate prayer congress” scheduled for the Eagle Square, Abuja
on April 26, 2018.
TheCable