Protection of lives must take precedence over politics, elections – El-Buba charges Nigerian govt

The Founder of Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministry International (EBOMI), Prophet Isa El-Buba has charged the federal government to come up with urgent action that will end the wave of killings, kidnappings and insecurity across Nigeria. 

The cleric specifically demanded that protection of the lives of Nigeria’s citizens must take precedence over politics and elections. 

He spoke on Sunday in Jos, Plateau State during the “Black Sunday observance” declared by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). 

The cleric lamented the continued loss of innocent lives and the suffering of families affected by violence in different parts of the country despite the repeated promises by the government to arrest the unpleasant situation. 

He said Nigeria’s democratic journey would remain incomplete if citizens could not live safely in their own ancestral communities, stressing that democracy must guarantee security, justice, equal opportunities, and hope for future generations.

At the Black Sunday observance attended by Christians, Muslims, traditional leaders, public servants and political leaders, the cleric described the nation’s current situation as a critical moment that demands collective action and national reflection.

“Too many innocent lives have been lost. Too many communities have been displaced. Too many parents live with uncertainties about the future of their children,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to unite in condemning the persistent violence, declaring, “The bloodshed in Nigeria must stop. Every life matters. Every citizen deserves protection and every community deserves peace.”

The religious leader emphasized that security should be the nation’s top priority, insisting that political interests and electioneering should not take precedence over the safety of citizens.

“Before politics, before elections, before personal interests, we must secure the lives of Nigerians. No security, no election,” he declared.

He called on all levels of government and security agencies to intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks, secure vulnerable communities, and restore public confidence in the country’s security architecture.

Beyond security concerns, El-Buba said Nigeria’s challenges were also moral and spiritual, blaming corruption, greed, injustice, dishonesty, and abuse of power for weakening the nation’s foundations. 

He urged the Church to reclaim its prophetic role and become a voice of conscience and transformation.

The cleric enjoined Muslims and other stakeholders to speak against those using religion to justify violence, adding that insecurity, poverty, and criminality affect all Nigerians regardless of tribe or faith.

In a direct message to President Bola Tinubu, El-Buba called for stronger leadership in addressing insecurity and demanded decisive action to rescue victims held by kidnappers.

He warned that citizens would continue to demand accountability from leaders, adding, “We will not keep silent, we will not keep quiet, until our nation is recovered.”