Tinubu’s campaign DG, Lalong, apologises to Catholic Bishops over comment on Pope

Simon Lalong

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has written an apology letter to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, over the alleged ‘blasphemous’ comment on Pope Francis.

Some aggrieved Catholics had condemned Lalong’s reference to the Pope in the defence of his acceptance to serve as the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2023 general election.

After the governor’s reference which displeased the Catholics, the concerned members of the church demanded his immediate suspension from the church.

Lalong, in his apology letter, however, said it was erroneous on his part to have linked the Pope with Nigeria’s politics.

He equally pleaded for forgiveness and understanding from the Catholic Church through the Bishops’ conference.

Governor Lalong stated: “I have followed with some shock and deep regret, the reactions that have trailed my appointment as the Director-General of the Campaign Council for the presidential candidate of our party, the APC, Ahmed Tinubu, and his running mate, Ibrahim Shettima.

“The appointment understandably was received with mixed reactions across the Christian community, who genuinely feel aggrieved by the decision of our party to settle for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“While many people commended me for the appointment and saw it as a way of remaining within the system to fight for our own interests, others cast aspersions on it on the grounds that our faith had been insulted and denigrated.

“In the course of this, many of my opponents turned the issue into a political weapon with some spreading rumours and questioning the integrity of my credentials as a Catholic and a Papal Knight.

“In trying to make my case, I have granted interviews to justify why I believe that the appointment did not in any way undermine my commitment to the Catholic Church.

“During the week, in the course of defending myself, I had cause to make reference to my credentials as a Catholic and a Papal Knight. In the process, I made reference to the Holy Father.

“I now realise that this was an error on my part and has caused some level of concern and even embarrassment to many, especially the Members of the family of Papal Knights to which I belong.

“I now understand that I may have overreached myself in the course of trying to defend my personal decision in accepting this appointment and thus, the reference to the holy father was not intended as an act of disrespect to his exalted and revered office.

“Your Grace, by this written letter, I wish to tender my unreserved apologies and ask for their understanding and forgiveness from my brothers in the Catholic faith and, through you, the entire members of the Bishops’ Conference, our Fathers, and our leaders,” he said.

Lalong further restated his commitment to the Catholic faith and vowed to continue upholding the banner of the Christian faith in public life.

The Star