CAN appeals to Christians not to join planned nationwide protest

Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has urged Christians not to join the proposed nationwide ‘hunger protest’ billed for 1st to 10th August, 2024, saying violence cannot yield positive results.

The state CAN Chairman , Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna, described peace as an ongoing and dynamic process that demands perpetual attention and constant effort to attain and maintain.

The cleric who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, called on President Bola Tinubu to apart from palliatives, work on price control for goods and services, address rising cost of living and also reduce the price of fuel.

He called on church leaders, local government coordinators and parents to admonish their members and children, charging them to remember the book of Romans 13:1-3 which said Christians should not rebel against constituted authority.

According to him, “As you are aware, there are plans to stage a nationwide protest across the country, but as Children of God and responsible people known for peace, I urge us all to shun the protest, speak to our children/wards and members of our congregation.

“Peaceful protest with clear demands is good but such could be hijacked by miscreants and be perceived by security threat which can lead to arrests/shootings. And we cannot afford to lose any of our children.

“There is no time that violence had led to positive results, rather it has caused destructions, loss of lives and setbacks. Genuine protest can easily be seized by hoodlums and selfish groups to cause enormous havoc on innocent citizens,” he said.

Yohanna stated further that major stakeholders in Niger State have agreed not to join the protest especially as Governor Umaru Bago has slashed the prices of grains and has promised to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

In the same vein, he urged governments at all levels to do all they can to shun ethnic and religious division.

“Let there be greater accountability, fairness in empowerment, job opportunities, employment into various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), military and paramilitaries, sharing the commonwealth and then allow justice to prevail at all times,” he said.