The Catholic Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ibadan have called on protesters across Nigeria to exercise restraint and not to disturb or intimidate other Nigerians who may not wish to participate in the ongoing hunger protests, realising that it is their inalienable right not to take part.
In a communiqué issued after their meeting in Ibadan, the bishops stated that people who did not want to participate in the protests should be allowed to carry out their legitimate business unhindered.
In the communiqué, which was jointly signed by the Chairman, Most Rev. Leke Gabriel Abegunrin, and the Secretary, Most Rev. John Akin Oyejola, the bishops also said that the organisers of the
It is the responsibility of protesters to ensure all of this or call off the protest.
“In a normal democratic environment, protests should not cause agitation, since the right to protest is guaranteed in genuine democracies around the world.
“Protests are organised to bring the opinions or demands of people or social groups to the attention of governments and authorities. In Nigeria, the impending protest has sparked a heated debate about its legality and expediency.
“Many believe that the protests are not a solution to Nigeria’s problems. And they are right. Protests are not there to provide solutions to problems. Protests are the last resort for citizens who are crying out for solutions to their problems and are not being heard.
“Protests are the last resort to make the voices of those who feel oppressed heard. The protests in Nigeria should serve this purpose and no other,” they said.
In their remarks on the background to the protests, the bishops stated that they firmly believe that the current protests would not have gained such momentum if Nigerian governments at all levels had responded more quickly and effectively to the groans and cries for help of the Nigerian people.
“Nigerians have complained about the terrible hunger in the country, persistent insecurity, broken promises, dashed hopes, the outrageously high cost of living and governance, and the inability of the rule of law to curb criminality among public officials – not to mention the inability of many public officials to address serious national problems.
“We urge federal, state and local governments to heed the cry of distress of the Nigerian people and turn a new leaf by responding promptly and effectively to the problems and plight of Nigerians from now on.
“As we have stressed in the recent past, governance through appeasement, intimidation or hide-and-seek cannot provide a lasting solution to the challenges facing the country.
“During this protest, the relevant security organizations must therefore show restraint and decency in the performance of their duties and avoid violence and accidental deaths, which have unfortunately characterized previous exercises in Nigeria,” the bishops said.
