The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has said Nigerians and youths would continue to protest against the economic hardship and hunger until President Bola Tinubu addresses them.
The Catholic Bishops said Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder that would explode any time if the political class failed to wholesomely address the hardship in the country.
The Bishops regretted that Nigerian authorities used security agencies against peaceful protesters in the last #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest.
The President of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, stated this on Sunday in his welcome address at the opening Session of the 2024 second Plenary Assembly of the CBCN, taking place in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State.
While declaring the Conference open, Bishop Ugorji stated that the Catholic Church condemned in strongest terms the killing of youths by Nigeria security agencies during the hunger protest.
He said, “On August 4th, President Bola Tinubu enumerated the achievements of his administration. While we recognise that notable progress has been made in some sectors of our national life, we cannot fail to admit that the present state of the nation is worrisome. Even though insecurity remains one of our major challenges.
“As our national economy continues to decline, the Nigerian youths embarked on a nationwide protest tagged # EndbadGovernance from 1 to 10th August 2024.
“The protest was aimed at publicly voicing their disappointment and frustration on the ills bedevilling the nation. Although Nigeria has the constitutional right to express its grievances through peaceful protests, there was widespread concern it could be hijacked by miscreants.
“Likewise, we condemn in strong terms the killing of some protesting youths by security operatives. We pray for the repose of the dead, the speedy recovery of the injured and the consolation of the bereaved.”
The Bishops emphasized that the Bola Tinubu-led federal government, instead of addressing the challenges raised by protesters, decided to strip citizens of their democratic rights.
“We wish to stress that as long as the nation is afflicted with poverty, hardship and corruption, and as long as the future of youths in our nation remains bleak, we continue to experience protest. Rather than address the ill, trying to drown the nation, some government officials are busy passing the buck and looking for a scapegoat.
“We are indeed sitting on a ticking time bomb as security operatives try to crack down on some of those involved in the protest and their sponsors on trumped-up charges.
“This raises concerns about whether they are trying to strip citizens of their democratic rights and freedoms to protest or give the impression that everything in the country is fine and there was really no need for the protest. This is delusional and condemnable,” Ugorji added.