By Deji Ariyo
Presidential aspirant and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has condemned the wanton massacre of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
In a strongly worded statement released through issued through his media office in Abuja on Sunday, Tinubu said the reprehensible act deserved to be condemned by well-meaning Nigerians.
The statement reads in full:
“Today’s attack on worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, is reprehensible in every sense of the word. There is no place for such hatred and wanton taking of innocent lives in our nation.
“No one can discern the darkness in the mind of those that would kill people who were merely engaged in the harmless practice of their faith. The only thing that can be said for sure is that these perpetrators are evil and that they should be subjected to the full measure of the law and justice.
“This violent attack has shocked the conscience of the nation and shattered the peace of this ancient town. It has saddened our hearts beyond what words can say. However, those who did this have made a terrible mistake. They think they can break our collective spirit and our will to live in peace and with compassion to all regardless of faith. What they have done will not pull us apart. We must unite so that together we extinguish this evil from our nation. We owe it to ourselves and to those who lost their lives in this heinous attack.
“Violent extremism and insecurity want to bring us low. We must continue to do all that we can to beat the vile challenge so that Nigeria becomes its better self. The architects of violence shall only seal their own fate but not the fate of this nation or the peace-loving people who inhabit it.
“While this is political season, let us put aside partisan affiliation and politics for the moment. I ask all Nigerians to stand and commiserate with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the families of the victims of the attack and indeed the people of Owo and Ondo State. I too mourn and extend condolences with the pastors and leaders of St. Francis Catholic Church.
“While urging the people of the state to remain calm, and peaceful, we must also urge the police and security agencies to do all that is within their mortal power to do to get to the bottom of this attack, apprehend the wicked perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“May God watch over this republic and the people of Nigeria such that such evil is quickly and forever extinguished from the land!”