The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and Abuja has expressed concern over the planned nationwide hunger protests, highlighting the severe deterioration of the country’s situation.
According to The PUNCH, CAN emphasized that the masses have endured hardship and smiled through their suffering for too long, with the government appearing indifferent.
The organization urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take tangible actions to alleviate economic hardship and insecurity instead of allegedly trying to influence religious and traditional leaders to stop the planned protests.
The association reminded Nigerian politicians of the ‘Occupy Nigeria’ protests in 2012, led by Tinubu, which compelled former President Goodluck Jonathan to reconsider his plans to remove the petrol subsidy.
In a statement by its Secretary, Elder Sunday Oibe, in Kaduna on Saturday, Northern CAN expressed grave concerns about the current protests against hunger and economic hardship, citing the unbearable living conditions.
CAN stressed that in a democracy, citizens have the right to peaceful protest over issues impacting their welfare.
The association criticized the government’s efforts as superficial, urging for more practical solutions to provide genuine and lasting relief. It noted that the rising cost of living and ongoing security challenges have yet to see any meaningful alleviation.
Northern CAN called on the government to address the threat posed by bandits and terrorists, whose actions have devastated communities’ socio-economic activities.
They also highlighted the need to address the plummeting value of the Naira and skyrocketing inflation.
The body demanded an apology from the government for its perceived ineptitude and failure to tackle the country’s foundational challenges. They also called on Christians to continue praying fervently for the nation.
The statement read, “Hunger has now become a unifying factor for the masses. Government officials must be mindful of their utterances and actions to avoid provoking 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. Nigerians are resilient people. They have been ‘suffering and smiling’ for too long while those in power behave as if the people don’t matter. The continued slide in the value of the naira has completely weakened the purchasing power of Nigerians amid skyrocketing inflation. The naira exchanges for about N1,600 to the dollar. The government must do something about this.”
The statement continued, “Northern CAN is also worried about subtle attempts by some unscrupulous elements to introduce religious, ethnic, and regional sentiments in the planned protest. The issues at stake are not about tribe, religion, or region as hunger is not a respecter of any of those sentiments. Those behind this dangerous path must desist from their evil plots.”
The association recalled, “In January 2012, President Bola Tinubu and many of those who are in power today mobilized Nigerians to a protest tagged ‘Occupy Nigeria’ to resist plans by former President Goodluck Jonathan to remove the subsidy on petrol. Jonathan was forced to stop it. The economic situation in Nigeria today is worse than Jonathan’s era. We advised politicians to be mindful of their actions and inactions as ‘what goes around, comes around.'”
CAN urged Christians to pray for the country’s peace, unity, and stability, stating that in the past eight years, corruption had become normalized, with political officeholders flaunting their ill-gotten wealth amid mass poverty and deprivation. They noted that the masses have lost confidence in the government as Nigeria appears to be regressing rather than progressing.
Instead of attempting to influence religious and traditional leaders to stop the protest, the government should apologize for its failures and improve the living conditions of the people. The association called for prayers for God’s intervention in Nigeria.
Northern CAN highlighted the widespread reaction to the planned protest against hunger and economic hardship, noting that it has generated fear and apprehension among Nigerians. They acknowledged that the protest is driven by hunger, poverty, insecurity, and harsh economic conditions, reflecting the unbearable state of life in Nigeria today.
“Nigerians are indeed hungry, angry, and as resilient as they had always been,
