Archbishop emeritus, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has called on Nigerians of all faiths to pray for God’s direction upon the nation’s leaders as they strive to solve the country’s problems.

Mr Onaiyekan made the plea in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

“We know we have problems, and there are certain problems we cannot just solve like that. We simply say we should solve the problems. The more we say so, the more things are going bad.

“So, we must first of all admit that the problem we have is beyond our human capacity, and we must call on God.

“Nigeria is a country which tells the whole world that we believe in God. There are some countries that tell the whole world that they don’t believe in God,” stated Mr Onaiyekan.

The Catholic chieftain added, “We believe in God; All of us who say we believe in God must show it by carrying our nation before God in honesty of mind and in humility. With sincerity of heart, we should tell God we need His help.”

Mr Onaiyekan also advised Nigerians to show signs of repentance so that God would hear their prayers and solve the nation’s problems.

“But, if we do not show signs of repentance and we are proud of our wickedness, then even God cannot help us,” he said.

On the issue of politics, he explained that a major problem in Nigeria is that it is the only dominant aspect of Nigerians’ lives.

He added, “It is not right that everybody must be a professional politician. Our focus should be our national interest. What is happening in our nation is beyond the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress and the elections.

“We have finished with elections. What we have now is a nation that wants to be rescued. All hands must be on board. All those in authority must lead and have no excuse not to lead.”

Mr Onaiyekan advised political leaders to engage the right people to help tackle the nation’s problems for the benefit of all.

“Once you have the power, you must use it. It is left for the leaders to bring in the relevant people that can help Nigeria. Don’t stick to only your party men, those who helped you to win elections. You have to look for Nigerians who are ready to get the job done.

“To get out of our problems, we need to ask God to heal us of our leprosy,” Mr Onaiyekan said.

Last March, the Catholic chief described the 2023 presidential poll that produced President Bola Tinubu as a tragically questionable election.

(NAN)