Protest: Respond promptly to Nigerians’ demands, Catholic Bishops urge Tinubu

By Ayodele Adesanmi

The Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have called on President Bola Tinubu to respond promptly to the demands of Nigerians concerning the eradication of hunger, ending insecurity, addressing failed promises, and other issues.

This was contained in a communique at the end of their meeting held in Akure by the Chairman and Secretary of the Province, Most Rev. Leke Abegunrin and Most Rev. John Oyejola.

The Bishops believed the protests cannot solve any problems in the country but urged the protesters to shelve their plans if they cannot demonstrate their actions without hindering lawful businesses and constituting a nuisance.

The communiqué reads: “Protests should cause no consternation in any normal democratic setting because the right to protest is guaranteed in true democracies all over the world. Protests are organized to draw the attention of governments and authorities to the opinions or demands of people or groups in society.

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“In Nigeria, the impending protest has raised a furor of opinions regarding its legitimacy and expediency. Many believe that protests are not a solution to Nigeria’s problems. They are right. Protests are not meant to provide solutions to problems.

“Protests are held as a last resort for citizens who have cried out for solutions to problems and have not been heeded. Protests are the last resort for amplifying the voice of those who feel oppressed. 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 organizers of the protest have a responsibility to ensure all these or call off the protest.

“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 mention the ineptitude of many public officers in dealing with serious national issues.

“We strongly urge the Federal, State, and Local Governments to promptly attend to the distress calls 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.”