Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Communication, Daniel Bwala, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to inclusive governance, national development and the safety of all Nigerians.
Bwala spoke on Friday during a meeting with a Charismatic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) delegation at the State House in Abuja, where religious leaders painted a harrowing picture of killings, church burnings and mass displacement in parts of the North Central region.
“The government is committed to the security and welfare of all Nigerians, as enshrined in the Constitution,” Bwala told the delegation, assuring them of President Tinubu’s unbiased leadership and continued efforts to combat violence and insecurity.
Led by CBCN Secretary General, Bishop Chivir Chianson, the clerics expressed deep concern over the spate of violence in Benue and Plateau.
“Our pastors are being murdered, churches burned, and people forced to flee. This is not just politics—this is war,” Chianson said.
While the bishops stopped short of calling for a declaration of emergency rule, they warned that the current situation resembles one.
“If people are being killed weekly and security only responds after the fact, we are already living in a state of emergency,” Chianson stated.
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The meeting also served as a platform for the bishops to formally announce their 2025 Synod, expected to convene more than 600 bishops from Nigeria and 36 other countries.
The Synod, which will focus on leadership, faith, and nation-building, has extended an invitation to President Tinubu to deliver a keynote address on the theme: Politics and Christianity in Contemporary Times: A Correlation Analysis.
Bwala, who accepted an invitation to speak at the conference, pledged to deliver the bishops’ formal letter to the President.
He welcomed the Church’s input and emphasized the administration’s readiness to listen.
“Nigeria needs the active involvement of all citizens—Christians, Muslims, and others—in governance,” he said.
Responding to concerns about political appointments, Bwala stressed that President Tinubu does not consider ethnicity or religion when making decisions.
“He is guided by fairness and a commitment to inspire hope among all Nigerians. There is no tolerance for evil. All crimes must be met with decisive action”, Bwala said.
The presidential aide also highlighted the federal government’s coordination with state governors in affected areas like Benue, Plateau, and Zamfara to address the underlying drivers of insecurity.
Comparing the fight against criminality to spiritual warfare, he added, “Just as pastors must continually pray and cast out spirits, the government must persistently battle emerging threats.”
On the economic front, Bwala defended the controversial removal of fuel subsidies, calling it a necessary step to boost state revenues for infrastructure and salary payments.
“This reform has allowed for impactful initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the increase in NYSC stipends,” he noted.
While declining to comment on recent activities in the National Assembly, Bwala reiterated the Tinubu administration’s respect for the independence of the legislature and judiciary.
