Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province said the government of President Bola Tinubu need to confront the economic crisis facing the nation head on and bring relief to Nigerians who had been pushed to the edge.
The bishops said in a communique after their meeting held at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute, Igoba, Akure, Ondo State capital on Wednesday, that it was the biting economic situation in the country that is provoking the citizens to call for protests, which they have the rights to do.
“We strongly believe that if governments in Nigeria at all levels had responded more promptly and effectively to the groans and distress calls of the Nigerian people the current protest would not have gathered momentum,” said the communique signed by the Archbishop of Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese, Gabriel Abegunrin and Bishop John Oyejola, the chairman and secretary of the meeting respectively.
” Nigerians have cried out about dire hunger in the land, persistent insecurity, failed promises, dashed hopes, outrageous cost of living and governance, and ineffectiveness of the rule of law in curbing criminality among public officials not to talk of many public officers’ ineptitude with serious national issues.
“The protests in Nigeria should be made to serve that purpose and none other. The protesters should exercise restraint and not disturb or intimidate those who may choose not to participate in the exercise knowing that it is their inalienable right not to do so. Such people should be allowed to go about their lawful business unhindered. The organizers of the protest have therefore a responsibility to ensure all these or call off the protest.
“We strongly urge the Federal, State and Local Governments to promptly attend to the distress call of the Nigerian people and turn a new leaf by responding promptly and effectively henceforth to the problems and distress of Nigerians. As we have said in the recent past, governance by palliatives, by intimidation or by hide and seek methods cannot provide a permanent solution to the challenges faced by the country”
The bishops further urged the security agencies in the country to be professional enough in handling the protest as well as the protesters to avoid violence and bloodshed.
“During this protest therefore relevant security organizations must show restraint and civility in discharging their duties and avoid violence and accidental deaths which unfortunately seem to have characterized past exercises in Nigeria.”
