Easter: Blood of citizens not political tool -Archbishop Martins

…Condemns Palm Sunday massacre, soaring fuel costs

By Fr. Michael Nsikak Umoh

Within the crowded unconducive rooms of most Nigerian households and the silent fervent prayers of parents struggling to put food on the table, a heavy cloud of pain and uncertainty lingers. Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos, steps into this gap of “fear and anxiety”, delivering an Easter message that feels more like a shared heartbeat of a suffering nation.

While anticipating celebrating the hope of the Resurrection, the Archbishop sets the agenda on the “daily burden” of families crushed by record-high fuel prices and the “collective groaning” of a people haunted by persistent insecurity.

In his Easter Message of April 4, 2026, Archbishop Martins did not mince words in condemning the recent terrorist attacks in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, where over 27 innocent lives were taken on Palm Sunday; another incident that stained the sacred season in the country.

“It is very disheartening that the perpetrators of this dastardly act chose to do so on a day that is sacred to followers of Christ,” he lamented.

In an unambiguous critique, Archbishop Martins characterised the government’s inability to curb insecurity as a “woeful failure” and a consistent abdication of its responsibility to protect its people. Despite massive security budgets and unfulfilled promises, he noted that the “reign of terror” continues unabated.

Additionally, in a rare and bold call for accountability, the Lagos Metropolitan suggested that those responsible for these lapses should be “bold enough to resign and allow for more competent hands to take over.”

He declared: “The blood of our citizens, the tears of our mothers, and the hunger of our children are not political tools; they are a sacred call to action.”

The Archbishop also addressed the “harsh economic realities” that have become a daily weight for countless Nigerians. He pointed specifically to the recent hike in the cost of petroleum and diesel to an all-time high; a situation he described as a failure of economic priorities, especially given Nigeria’s status as a major oil producer.

He urged leaders to move past “political manoeuvring” and partisan interests to provide essential economic relief and prioritize the dignity of every citizen.
Despite these heavy themes, the message remained rooted in the transformative power of Easter.

The Archbishop reminded the faithful that while the Cross was a place of profound suffering and apparent defeat, “it was not the end of the story.”

He therefore urged Nigerians not to let national challenges “erode your faith” but to find strength in prayer, family, and the fellowship of their parishes.

Looking toward the future, the Archbishop stressed the importance of the upcoming national elections. He called on all citizens to be “actively involved” in choosing leaders who will serve with “honesty, sincerity of purpose, and most importantly the fear of God.”

Archbishop Martins concluded by urging Nigerians to remain “agents of reconciliation”, refusing to allow their diversity to be weaponised against them. He ended his address with a prayer for the repose of those lost to insecurity in Sokoto, Maiduguri, and Plateau States, and wished all Nigerians a safe, peaceful, and blessed Easter.