Catholic group demands Lalong’s resignation as Tinubu campaign DG

Catholic group demands Lalong's resignation as Tinubu campaign DG
Solomon Lalong

The Mass Servants Association of Nigeria, a group under the Catholic Church has demanded the resignation of Plateau State Governor Solomon Lalong as the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Lalong had attracted criticism while trying to justify his appointment as the campaign DG amid the controversies surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the party by that the Pope did not complain about his appointment.

Reacting in a statement signed by Moses Idoko, MSAN said he must repent and return the funds he collected from the Muslim-Muslim ticket’s campaign.

Although Lalong had apologised to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria for his comment about the Pope, MSAN stated that he must embark on a 40-day fast, according to Daly Post.

“Lalong must confess to the priest for reconciliation with God and with the Catholic Church,” Idoko said.

He added, “even though God is merciful and forgiving, he does not declare the guilty to be guiltless (Ex 34:7).

“Sin carries with it a need for expiation even after it has been forgiven. After David sinned, the prophet Nathan told him: ‘The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die: But since you have utterly spurned the Lord by this deed, the child born to you must surely die (2 Sam 12:13–14).

“The Catholic Church understands Jesus’ death as expiation for the sins ‘of the whole world’ (1 Jn 2: 2). This, though, does not eliminate the need for expiation of the effects of sin. In the sacrament of confession or reconciliation, the penance helps to remedy the disorders caused by sin (CCC 1459). Because sins often harm others, simple justice also requires doing what is possible ‘to repair the harm’.

“In the case of Lalong, he has blasphemed. He showed alarming disrespect to God and the Pope. The governor made sacrilegious remarks about God and our spiritual leader.

“Exodus 22:28 states, ‘You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler (Pope) of your people’. Such blasphemy is subject to punishment by death. For, to revile God (or those whom he appointed) was to call into question the integrity and holiness of God himself.

“However, Lalong has apologised and claims to have repented. But his supposed show of remorse is not enough. He must prove it with action.

“First, the governor must embark on a 40-day fast and prayer to seek forgiveness. He must crave the face of God for turning against His people by supporting a seemingly doomed and demonic alliance.

“But most importantly, Lalong must denounce the APC presidential ticket. He must openly condemn this evil that could potentially destroy the nation. Except, these are done, the governor’s purported apology will still be seen as a charade. God can’t be mocked.”