Catholic Bishops Support Protests as a Means to Amplify Marginalized Voices

Let protests serve as a voice for the oppressed, Bishops advise...

Catholic Bishops warn Nigerian leaders to address citizens' concerns amid planned nationwide protests over hunger, insecurity, and poor governance, emphasizing the need for genuine action and accountability.

The Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu, State Governors, and Local Government chairpersons, emphasizing that the ongoing protests and agitations are a direct result of the government's failure to address the pressing concerns of Nigerians. These concerns include widespread hunger, skyrocketing living costs, persistent insecurity, and unfulfilled promises.

In a communiqué released on Tuesday, July 30, after their meeting in Akure, the Bishops urged the leaders to take immediate and effective action in response to the people's distress calls. They emphasized the need for genuine efforts to address the problems facing Nigerians, rather than ignoring their pleas. The communiqué was co-signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Province, Most Reverends Leke Abegunrin and Oyejola, respectively.

The bishops drew attention to the widespread suffering of Nigerians, who have been vocal about their struggles with severe hunger, persistent insecurity, and shattered hopes due to unfulfilled promises. Additionally, they highlighted the crippling effects of high living costs and ineffective governance.

The clerics strongly condemned the failure of the rule of law to hold public officials accountable for criminality and criticized the incompetence of many in managing critical national issues. They emphasized that relying on temporary palliatives, intimidation, or evasive tactics would not provide a lasting solution to the country's deep-seated problems.

The bishops noted that while protests alone may not solve Nigeria's problems, they would not have gained momentum if governments at all levels had addressed the grievances and distress calls of citizens. They stressed that the protests are a symptom of a larger issue - the failure of leadership to respond to the people's needs.

The Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province of the Catholic Church comprises six dioceses: the Ibadan Archdiocese, and the dioceses of Ilorin, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, and Osogbo, forming a regional ecclesiastical jurisdiction under the Church's administrative structure.

“Protests should cause no consternation in any normal democratic setting because the right to protest is guaranteed in true democracies all over the world. Protests are organized to draw the attention of governments and authorities to the opinions or demands of people or groups in society.

“In Nigeria, the impending protest has raised a furore of opinions regarding its legitimacy and expediency. Many believe that protests are not a solution to Nigeria's problems. They are right. Protests are not meant to provide solutions to problems.

“Protests are held as a last resort for citizens who have cried out for solutions to problems and have not been heeded. Protests are the last resort for amplifying the voice of those who feel oppressed. The protests in Nigeria should be made to serve that purpose and none other,” the communiqué read in part.

The bishops called on security forces to exercise utmost restraint and maintain a high level of professionalism while carrying out their duties during protests, avoiding the use of excessive force, violence, and preventing unnecessary loss of life. They acknowledged that previous protests in Nigeria have regrettably been marred by such incidents, and urged a departure from this trend.

They also appealed to Nigerians to come together to help rescue the nation, emphasizing that “Nigeria is a great country, and we are a great people and to this we all agree. Our current situation of hunger and deprivation is not as a result of economic poverty, but due to greed, corruption, lack of accountability, lawlessness, indiscipline, selfishness and poor attitude to work.

“The challenges we face, if we work together, cannot overcome our God-given greatness, drive and courageous spirit. Our challenges and problems come from the bad will and bad conduct of some of us, Nigerians in every walk of life and at every level. We therefore plead with all Nigerians to show our true, indomitable, sterling character and salvage this country because we have no other,” the bishops said.

In recent weeks, a proposed nationwide protest aimed at bringing attention to citizens' grievances and demanding action on the country's pressing issues has dominated public conversation and debate.

As preparations for the nationwide protest gain momentum, the police have sought to identify the leaders and organizers behind the movement. However, no single individual has been officially designated as the leader, with various activists and social commentators, such as Aisha Yesufu, Deji Adeyanju, and Omoyele Sowore, publicly expressing their support for the cause.

The protest, scheduled to take place from August 1 to August 10 across the country, aims to bring attention to the pressing issues of hunger, economic hardship, and poor governance. The demonstrators seek to push for tangible solutions to these problems, which have severely impacted the lives of many Nigerians.