Catholic Bishops Blame Protest On Govts’ Neglect Of Nigerians

The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, compris­ing of Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara states, have blamed the proposed nationwide protest over failure of government to respond to the yearnings of the people on time.

They, however, charged those who would be protesting tomor­row to be peaceful and orderly.

This was contained in a com­munique issued and jointly signed by Archbishop of Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese, Gabriel Abegunrin and Bishop John Oyejola, the chairman and secretary of the bishops, respectively, on Tuesday, at the end of their meeting held at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute, Igoba, Akure, Ondo State capital.

The bishops tasked those who would participate in the protest to remember that it’s meant to ex­press their grievances and should not cause any crisis, particularly to those who may not be interested in the protest.

According to the communique, “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 organisers of the protest have therefore a responsibility to ensure all these or call off the protest.”

Meanwhile, the clergies ad­vised governments at all levels to rise up to their responsibilities by being proactive in putting in place programmes that would amelio­rate the sufferings of the people.

The bishops said: “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, 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.”

They, therefore, cautioned all se­curity agencies in the country to be professional enough in handling the proposed nationwide protest and the protesters to avoid violent clash and bloodshed.

The bishops said: “During this protest therefore relevant security organisations must show restraint and civility in discharging their duties and avoid violence and ac­cidental deaths which unfortunate­ly seem to have characterised past exercises in Nigeria.”