The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have asked the federal government to apologise to Nigerians for its ineptitude and failure to address the security and economic challenges facing the country.
In a statement on Saturday in Kaduna, the religious body said, “Rather than trying to induce and influence some religious and traditional leaders to stop the protest, as it is being speculated, the government should apologise for its ineptitude and failure to address challenges threatening the very foundation of the country and improve the living condition of the people.”
The statement signed by Elder, Sunday Oibe, Secretary General of Northern CAN, said the planned mass protest against hunger and economic hardship has generated so much reaction by various groups and individuals across the country.
According to the statement, those planning the protest hinged their reasons on hunger, poverty insecurity, and the prevailing harsh economic environment in the country, among several other problems.
Oibe said, “There is no denying the fact that life in Nigeria has become unbearable as a result of these problems.
“Nigerians are indeed hungry, angry, and as resilient as they had always been, they are becoming hopelss about the state of the Nigerian nation.”
The statement said, Northern CAN is deeply worried about the situation of things in the country, noting that “the planned protest is an indication that things have gone really bad.”
The statement said, those in government must acknowledge the fact that in a democracy, citizens have the right to peaceful protest over issues affecting their welfare.
“Northern CAN notes the efforts of the government in addressing the myriads of problems facing the country.
“However, such efforts have not brought about the desired succour to the people as the cost of living keeps rising amid security challenges”, statement said.
It called on the government to “stop cosmetic or temporary approaches to tackling the issues and “provide pragmatic solutions that produce tangible and lasting relief.”
The statement alleged that, “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 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.
“We believe the Nigerian Armed forces and other security agencies have the capacity to crush these criminals and their sponsors.
“This has been happening for years, and the government does not seem to have permanent solutions to it.
“Economic activities, particularly the agricultural sector, cannot thrive when bandits go about terrorising people.
“Hunger has now become a unifying factor for the masses. Government officials must be mindful of their utterances and actions to avoid provocating people groaning under hardship.
“The insinuation by some people that the protest is being promoted by some opposition elements is an insult on the syche of Nigerians who are going through pain.
“The government must be sympathetic and apologetic in its approach to handling the situation…
“Nigerians have been “suffering and smiling” for too long while those in power behave as if the people dont matter.
“The continues slide in the value of the naira has completely weakened the purchasing power of many Nigerians amid skyrocketing inflation.
“The naira exchanges for about N1,600 to the dolar, the government must do something about this.”
The association maintained that, “the idea of removing import duties and taxes on food importation does not make sense when our currency has depreciated to the lowest ebb.”
The statement also
expressed concern about subtle attempts by some unscrupulous elements to introduce religious, ethnic and regional sentiments to the planned protest.
Oibe said, “The issues at stake are not about tribe, religion, or region as hunger is not a respecter of any of those sentiments and warned those
behind the dangerous path to desist from their evil intentions.
The statement recalled that, “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 that of the Jonathan’s era.
“We advised politicians to be mindful of their actions and inactions as ‘what goes around, comes around.
“In the past eight years, corruption became an acceptable norm with thieving political office holders flaunting their ill gotten wealth in a flamboyant style amid mass poverty and deprivation.
“The masses have lost confidence in government because Nigeria seems to be moving backwards instead of moving forward. “
The religious body called on Christians to continue to pray fervently for the country.
John Shiklam
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