BY Ben Agande

Abuja—The Catholic Arch-Bishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called on Nigerian politicians to be circumspect in their choice of words as the country enters  a critical year ahead of the 2015 presidential elections.
He spoke at the New Year service at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Area 3, Abuja, which had in attendance President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the Catholic leader, the use of words as “capture” by politicians connotes negativity which is capable of rocking the boat of national unity.
The Cardinal, who relayed the message of the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, as it concerned Nigeria, warned that 2014 was crucial and might not be smooth as indicated by chaotic political activities already happening in the country.

He said:  “The Pope’s message is directed to the whole world and it’s the job of the local church to review it and see; what does it say to my country?
“My job is not finished by simply illustrating, I will have to carry it incessantly throughout this year. 2014 is crucial; there are lots of political campaigns and it’s not going to be smooth this year.

“It’s already getting very complex, almost chaotic but sometimes we don’t have to worry about the complexity that we see because in my own opinion, it all depends on the present process. when people begin to create alliances, we don’t know what they are doing.

“The major message we should be able to pass to our people is that politics is supposed to be a decent game of confrontation of ideals, where people find out who is in the best position to move this nation forward.
“It is not a battle; it’s not a do or die. Words like capturing should never be used in politics but we hear it so often. Because when we talk of capturing, it means whoever loses in the game is practically defeated and kicked.

“In Nigeria if you lose election you are finished which is why politicians who lose election go back to the party that is presently ruling, since the ruling party seems to control everything and doesn’t not allow other people to feel like they belong to the whole community.”