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Samuel Ogidan
The Federal Government has declared its readiness to strengthen collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and other critical stakeholders in addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges, while firmly dismissing claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is pursuing a one-party state.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said the Tinubu administration believes that many of Nigeria’s pressing challenges require sustained partnership with faith-based organisations, traditional institutions, civil society groups, the private sector and ordinary citizens.
Akume, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, following President Tinubu’s recent meeting with the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, said the Federal Government would deepen consultations with the Church and other stakeholders, describing constructive engagement as essential to national peace, social cohesion and development.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to democratic governance, insisting that the Federal Government respects the constitutional independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has no intention of turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
According to the SGF, the meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops was frank, respectful and productive, covering issues such as insecurity, economic hardship, education, healthcare, electoral credibility, political pluralism and religious freedom.
Akume acknowledged that while both sides differed on some issues, the discussions reflected a shared commitment to Nigeria’s unity, peace and progress rather than division.
On the economy, the SGF admitted that many Nigerians were facing hardship but described the situation as temporary, arguing that the administration’s economic reforms were necessary to correct long-standing structural problems and place the country on a sustainable path of growth.
He pointed to ongoing investments in major infrastructure projects, agricultural development, electricity, healthcare, regional development commissions and employment initiatives, while citing programmes such as NELFUND, the Social Investment Programme, Credit Corps and Conditional Cash Transfers as measures designed to cushion the effects of the reforms.
Akume also maintained that there were encouraging signs of economic recovery, including a more stable foreign exchange market, easing inflationary pressures and renewed investor confidence.
Addressing security, the SGF said the government was strengthening the nation’s security architecture through the creation of four new Army divisions, reforms in intelligence and logistics, increased recruitment, improved personnel welfare and the establishment of the Office of Homeland Security.
He stressed that the administration remained committed to protecting lives and property, noting that every life lost to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes was a matter of grave concern to the government.
On democracy, Akume insisted that Nigeria remains committed to constitutional rule, multi-party democracy and the rule of law, citing the registration of 21 political parties by INEC as evidence that political pluralism continues to thrive.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue to respect INEC’s autonomy and support the electoral body in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
The SGF also praised the Catholic Church for its longstanding contributions to education, healthcare, humanitarian services and peacebuilding, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most important development partners.
He said the Tinubu administration would continue to welcome sincere advice from religious and civic institutions, stressing that despite differences over certain policies, both government and the Church share a common objective of building a peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria.