The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has cautioned against giving the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship by some young people any form of religious, ethnic or regional sentiments.
CAN acknowledged that the planned protest has generated fear and apprehension among Nigerians, as its planners hinged their reasons on hunger, poverty insecurity, and the prevailing harsh economic environment in the country, among other factors.
The Christian body, in a statement by its Secretary, Elder Sunday Oibe said, “Northern CAN is deeply worried about the situation of things in the country.
The planned protest is an indication that things have gone really bad. Those in government must acknowledge the fact that in a democracy, citizens have the right to embark on peaceful protest over issues affecting their welfare”.
The body stressed that there is no denying the fact that life in Nigeria has become unbearable as a result of these problems, adding that Nigerians are indeed hungry, angry, and as resilient as they had always been, they are becoming hopeless about the state of the Nigerian nation.
Northern CAN noted the efforts of the government in addressing the myriads of problems facing the country, it stressed however, that such efforts have not brought about the desired succour to the people as the cost of living keeps rising amid security challenges.
“The government should stop cosmetic or temporary approaches to tackling the issues. It should provide pragmatic solutions that produce tangible and lasting relief. Since the removal of subsidy on petrol by President Bola Tinubu over a year ago, Nigerians have yet to enjoy its benefits.
“Insecurity continues to remain undermined by the Nigerian state. Almost on a daily basis, bandits/terrorists unleash mayhem. Mindless killings and kidnappings for ransom seemed to have become acceptable norms. Many communities, especially in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger states, have been displaced by bandits,” the statement added.
CAN then urged the government to muster the political will to stop these marauding criminals that have destroyed the socioeconomic activities in communities, especially, in the Northern part of the country, believing that the Nigerian Armed forces and other security agencies have the capacity to crush these criminals and their sponsors.
It further posited that economic activities, particularly the agricultural sector, cannot thrive when bandits go about terrorising people, adding that hunger has now become a unifying factor for the masses and that government officials must be mindful of their utterances and actions to avoid provocating people groaning under hardship.
“The government must be sympathetic and apologetic in its approach to handling the situation. Nigerians are resilient people. They have been “suffering and smiling” for too long while those in power behave as if the people don’t matter. The continued slide in the value of the naira has completely weakened the purchasing power of Nigerians amid skyrocketing inflation.
“The idea of removing import duties and taxes on food importation does not make sense when our currency has depreciated to the lowest ebb,” CAN said.
The Christian body in the North is also worried about subtle attempts by some unscrupulous elements to introduce religious, ethnic and regional sentiments in the planned protest.
“The issues at stake are not about tribe, religion, or region as hunger is not a respecter of any of those sentiment. Those behind this dangerous path must desist from their evil plots,” the statement warned.
Going down memory lane, CAN said, “In January 2012, President Bola Tinubu and many of those who are in power today, mobilised Nigerians to a protest tagged “Occupy Nigeria” to resist plans by former President Goodluck Jonathan to remove subsidy on petrol. Jonathan was forced to stop it.
“The economic situation in Nigeria today is worse than Jonathan’s era. We advise politicians to be mindful of their actions and inactions as “what goes around, comes around.”
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