Governance by palliatives, intimidation not solution to Nigerians’ problems - Catholic Bishops to FG

The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, comprising four states, have noted that governance by palliatives, intimidation or by hide and seek methods is not the right approach to provide a permanent solution to the challenges faced by the country.

In a communique issued at the end of their meeting, held in Akure, Ondo State and signed by the Archbishop of Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese, Gabriel Abegunrin and Bishop John Oyejola, the chairman and secretary of the meeting respectively, the clerics said, “We strongly believe that if governments in Nigeria at all levels had responded more promptly and effectively to the groans and distress calls of the Nigerian people the current protest would not have gathered momentum.

“Nigerians have cried out about dire hunger in the land, persistent insecurity, failed promises, dashed hopes, the outrageous cost of living and governance, and ineffectiveness of the rule of law in curbing criminality among public officials not to talk of many public officers’ ineptitude with serious national issues.

“We strongly urge the Federal, State and Local Governments to promptly attend to the distress call of the Nigerian people and turn a new leaf by responding promptly and effectively henceforth to the problems and distress of Nigerians.

“As we have said in the recent past, governance by palliatives, by intimidation or by hide and seek methods cannot provide a permanent solution to the challenges faced by the country.”

The clerics also called on the Nigerians who planned to stage a national protest to be peaceful and orderly.

According to them, “The protests in Nigeria should be made to serve that purpose and none other. The protesters should exercise restraint and not disturb or intimidate those who may choose not to participate in the exercise knowing that it is their inalienable right not to do so.

“Such people should be allowed to go about their lawful business unhindered. The organizers of the protest have therefore a responsibility to ensure all these or call off the protest.”

While calling on security agencies in the country to be professional enough in handling the protest as well as the protesters to avoid violence and bloodshed, they said, “During this protest, therefore, relevant security organizations must show restraint and civility in discharging their duties and avoid violence and accidental deaths which unfortunately seem to have characterized past exercises in Nigeria.