The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 northern states and Abuja, says it is worried over the fear and apprehension the planned nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship has generated among citizens.
The Secretary of the forum, Elder Sunday Oibe, in a statement on Saturday said the planned protest is an indication that things have gone really bad in the country and advised the government to acknowledge that in a democracy, citizens have the right to peaceful protest over issues affecting their welfare.
He explained that although Nigerians are resilient, they are now becoming hungry, angry and hopeless about the state of the Nigerian nation.
The statement explained that the government’s efforts in addressing the problems have not brought about the desired succour to the people as the cost of living has continued to rise amid security challenges.
“The government should stop cosmetic or temporary approaches to tackling the issues. It should provide pragmatic solutions that produce tangible and lasting relief,” the statement further advised.
CAN noted that since the removal of subsidy on petrol by President Bola Tinubu over a year ago, Nigerians have yet to enjoy its benefits, stressing that insecurity continues to undermine the Nigerian state daily as bandits/terrorists unleash mayhem.
According to the Secretary, “Mindless killings and kidnappings for ransom seemed to have become acceptable norms. Many communities, especially in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger States, have been displaced by bandits.
“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 and hunger has now become a unifying factor for the masses.
“Government officials must be mindful of their utterances and actions to avoid provoking the people groaning under hardship. The insinuation by some people that the protest is being promoted by some opposition elements is an insult to the psyche of Nigerians who are going through pain.
“The government must be sympathetic and apologetic in its approach to handling the situation.”
Oibe noted that Nigerians are resilient people, who have been suffering and smiling for too long while those in power behave as if the people do not matter, saying that the continued decline in the value of the naira has completely weakened the purchasing power of Nigerians amid skyrocketing inflation.
He added that the naira exchanges for about N1,600 to the dollar, suggesting that the government must do something about this while the idea of removing import duties and taxes on food importation does not make sense when the currency has depreciated to the lowest ebb.
He said that Northern CAN is also worried about subtle attempts by some unscrupulous elements to introduce religious, ethnic and regional sentiments in the planned protest, saying that the issues at stake are not about tribe, religion, or region as hunger is not a respecter of any of those sentiments.
“The masses have lost confidence in the government because Nigeria seems to be moving backwards instead of moving forward. Rather than trying to induce and influence some religious and traditional leaders to stop the protest, as it is being speculated in certain quarters, 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 advised.
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