By Samson Adeyanju

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, has called on Christians and Muslims in Nigeria to rethink the true meaning of religion and avoid unhealthy rivalry, as the seasons of Lent and Ramadan converge this year.

Archbishop Kaigama made the call delivering his homily during the opening Mass of the First Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), held in Abuja, urging both faith communities to embrace unity, self-discipline, prayer and concern for the poor.

He noted that Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, coincided providentially with the commencement of Ramadan, describing the overlap as a reminder of Christians’ and Muslims’ shared origin and destiny.

“This convergence invites us to greater mutual respect and commitment to the common good, rather than violence, arguments and unhealthy competition,” he said.

The Archbishop lamented what he described as a growing tendency among religious adherents to compete over superiority, numerical strength and claims of holiness, instead of focusing on addressing poverty, youth unemployment and national development.

“Christians and Muslims must rethink: what is religion? We should avoid unhealthy rivalry that only leads to despair, pessimism and antagonism,” he stressed.

Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew (4:9), Archbishop Kaigama warned against the temptation of power without service, authority without accountability and leadership without responsibility.

He decried a situation in which leaders seek titles and positions but neglect transparency and service to the people.

“In our country, we have seen leaders who desire power but not responsibility; power but not transparency and accountability,” he said, expressing hope that the 2027 general elections would reflect the genuine will of the people through credible use of modern electronic systems.

He added that the misuse of authority is not limited to politicians, but also affects parents, employers, church leaders and elders who abuse power or silence the truth.

The Archbishop emphasised that the Church in Nigeria survives not because of political favour but because of “the superabundance of God’s grace,” urging the faithful to examine whether they worship God or power, money and politics.

He also called on Nigerians to pray for civil and religious leaders who genuinely seek the common good, while urging leaders to identify with the suffering of the people amid insecurity, economic hardship, corruption and uncertainty.

Highlighting the plight of unemployed youths, Archbishop Kaigama expressed concern over the increasing number of graduates seeking job placements through personal appeals to religious leaders.

“Channel your requests to those you elected,” he advised, warning that widespread youth unemployment could become a time bomb if not urgently addressed.

He further urged Nigerians to use their votes wisely and to prioritise the common good above self-interest.

“Muslims, common good first. Christians, common good first. All Nigerians, common good first,” he declared.

The Archbishop prayed for a fruitful deliberation by the bishops and called on all citizens to choose service over power, integrity over wealth, transparency over corruption, and Christ above all.

By Samson Adeyanju 

Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, the re‑elected chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), attended an election thanksgiving service at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), in Garki Village following his victory in the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT), area council elections.

Maikalangu, who retained his seat as AMAC chairman on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after securing the highest votes in the council race.

He previously won convincingly at his home polling unit in Garki Village 2 during Saturday’s elections.

At the thanksgiving service, local residents, supporters and church members joined Maikalangu in offering gratitude for a peaceful election and his continued leadership.

The event highlighted community appreciation for his contributions to local development and governance.

Maikalangu, an incumbent seeking a second term, has been active in grassroots engagement throughout AMAC and remains focused on delivering further democratic dividends and inclusive progress for residents.

By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata

Comrade Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu (Delaw), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship, has criticised voter apathy and alleged irregularities in the ongoing FCT Area Council election.

After voting at Polling Unit 013, Asokoro, Delaw urged residents to participate actively in elections, saying good leadership depends on civic involvement.

He said voting in Asokoro was peaceful but alleged issues elsewhere, including the absence of original result sheets at Durumi II and reports of voter intimidation and vote-buying in some areas.

Delaw expressed concern over low turnout, stressing that strong grassroots participation is vital for accountable governance.