The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has expressed strong criticism of the Nigerian government’s response to the country’s ongoing economic challenges. They condemned the government’s call for patience and sacrifice from citizens, while officials continue to enjoy lives of luxury, without making any visible efforts to reduce the high cost of governance.
In a communiqué released on August 30, 2024, following the CBCN’s Second Plenary Meeting at the Auchi Diocese in Edo State, the bishops articulated the growing frustration among Nigerians. The statement, signed by CBCN President Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji and delivered by Bishop Donatus A. Ogun of Uromi, highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with the administration’s management of the economic crisis. “There is a pervasive feeling in the country that we are entangled in a web of corruption that seems inescapable,” the communiqué noted.
The bishops pointed out that recent economic policies appear to benefit those in power and their allies in the business sector. They also referenced the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, which erupted as Nigeria’s economy continues to deteriorate, pushing millions into severe poverty and hardship. The CBCN emphasized that Nigerians have the constitutional right to protest peacefully, expressing their distress in a country blessed with abundant human and natural resources yet unable to meet the basic needs of its citizens.
Rev. Ugorji voiced concerns that the protest could be hijacked by miscreants to cause chaos, and although it began peacefully, it eventually turned violent in some regions. Reports emerged of arson, looting, and destruction of property worth billions of Naira, with several lives lost and many others injured.
The CBCN criticized the response of security operatives, who, instead of protecting citizens, were accused of using threats, intimidation, and even engaging in extrajudicial killings to suppress the protests. The bishops prayed for the souls of those who lost their lives, the recovery of the injured, and comfort for the bereaved, while also sympathizing with those who lost property during the unrest.
The bishops denounced the use of violence by both protesters and security forces and reaffirmed the constitutional right of Nigerians to engage in peaceful protest. They stressed that as long as poverty, hardship, and corruption persist, and the future of Nigerians remains uncertain, the need for protests will continue. The CBCN called on all levels of government to address the root causes of these protests and to release all detained individuals who were exercising their lawful right to protest.
In their statement, the bishops also commended the federal government for efforts to grant autonomy to local governments, which they believe will benefit grassroots communities. Rev. Ugorji urged that local government elections should be free and fair, with proper measures in place to ensure that resources allocated to local governments are used effectively.
The communiqué further urged the federal government to implement comprehensive electoral reforms to ensure transparency and fairness, including the compulsory and seamless electronic transmission of election results from polling units in real-time.
The bishops also addressed Nigeria’s significant debt burden, describing it as a major threat to both present and future generations. They observed that servicing these debts and finding funds to balance budget deficits have led to economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the Naira, which have caused rampant inflation and widespread suffering among Nigerians. They warned that the debt burden has become a new form of enslavement for the country’s citizens.
The CBCN concluded by urging the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider its economic reform policies, aiming to alleviate the hardship faced by citizens and to promote development that is both progressive and people-oriented.
For more updates and discussions, join our WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VabITrvEAKW7DSkTfP0JCatholic.