The four states that make up the Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have said that palliative, coercive, or dishonest government cannot provide a long-term solution to the nation’s problems.
This statement was made in a press release following their meeting, which took place at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute in the capital city of Ondo State, Igoba, Akure.
The chairman and secretary of the meeting, Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin of the Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese and Bishop John Oyejola, respectively, signed the communiqué.
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The clerics asserted, “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.”
” Nigerians have cried out about dire hunger in the land, persistent insecurity, failed promises, dashed hopes, the 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.”
“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 clerics advised Nigerians to hold their protests in a civil and orderly manner in relation to the scheduled demonstration.
In order to stop protests, they also urged governments at all levels to take the initiative and act quickly to alleviate Nigerians’ suffering.
The bishops stressed in the communiqué that in a typical democratic environment, protests shouldn’t be alarming because the freedom to demonstrate is a universally recognised right in genuine democracies. They did, however, issue a warning, advising demonstrators to make sure their activities are lawful while they exercise their constitutional rights.
“The protests in Nigeria should serve their intended purpose and no other,” they stated. “Protesters should exercise restraint and avoid disturbing or intimidating those who choose not to participate, respecting their inalienable right to abstain.”
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They added, “Such individuals should be allowed to go about their lawful business unhindered. The organizers of the protest have a responsibility to ensure this or call off the protest.”
The bishops also urged the country’s security agencies to handle the protest and the protesters professionally 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.
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