Against the backdrop of some young people‘s planned mass protest against hunger and economic hardship in the country, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has cautioned against expressing religious, ethnic, or regional sentiments in the protest.
CAN acknowledged that the planned protest has generated fear and apprehension among Nigerians. Those planning the protest cited hunger, poverty, insecurity, and the country‘s harsh economic environment, among several other problems.
The Christian body observed that there is no denying that life in Nigeria has become unbearable due to 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.
Secretary Elder Sunday Oibe said in a statement, „Northern CAN is deeply worried about the situation 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.“
Northern CAN noted the government‘s efforts in addressing the country‘s myriad problems. However, it stressed 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 President Bola Tinubu removed the subsidy on petrol over a year ago, Nigerians have yet to enjoy its benefits.
Insecurity continues to remain undermined by the Nigerian state. Almost daily, 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“.
CAN said the government must muster the political will to stop these marauding criminals that have destroyed socio-economic activities in communities, especially in the Northern part of the country, believing that the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies can crush these criminals and their sponsors.
It further posited that economic activities, particularly the agricultural sector, cannot thrive when bandits terrorise people. It added 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 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 continuous slide in the value of the naira has completely weakened Nigerians‘ purchasing power amid skyrocketing inflation.
Removing import duties and taxes on food imports does not make sense when our currency has depreciated to its lowest point.
Northern CAN 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 does not respect any of those sentiments. Those behind this dangerous path must desist from their evil plots.“
Going down memory lane, CAN said In January 2012, President Bola Tinubu and many of those in power today mobilised Nigerians to a protest tagged „Occupy Nigeria“ to resist former President Goodluck Jonathan‘s plans to remove the petrol subsidy. Jonathan was forced to stop the protest.
„The economic situation in Nigeria today is worse than it was during Jonathan‘s era. We advised politicians to be mindful of their actions and inactions, as ‚what goes around, comes around‘,“ it said.
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