The Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State has called on the Federal Government to reduce fuel prices and regulate food costs.
The organization also urged Christians to focus on prayer and peace rather than joining the proposed nationwide protest.
In a statement delivered in Minna, the State Chairman of CAN, Most Reverend Bulus Yohanna, said, “Let us shun protest. Violence has never yielded positive results but peace can easily turn things around. As you are aware, there are plans to stage a nationwide protest across the country. But as Children of God and responsible people known for peace, I urge us all to shun the protest and speak to our children, wards, and members of our congregation.”
He warned that “peaceful protest with clear demands is good, but such could be hijacked by miscreants, leading to arrests or shootings. We cannot afford to lose any of our children. Violence has caused destruction, loss of lives, and setbacks. Genuine protests can be seized by hoodlums and selfish groups to cause havoc on innocent citizens. This is why we should avoid the protest.”
Reverend Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reduce petrol prices and regulate food prices. “Apart from the palliatives, reduce the pump price of petrol and regulate prices of food items. This will address the rising cost of living and bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians,” he said.
He encouraged residents to take advantage of the farming season, praising the Governor for prioritizing agriculture to help feed the nation.
In a related statement, former Chairman of CAN in Kaduna State, Rev. John Hayab, advised Nigerians to avoid actions that could disrupt the country’s progress. He acknowledged that while protests are legitimate, they should not lead to destruction.
Hayab said, “While I stand with the Nigerian populace to call for better governance, my honest opinion is that a protest could destabilize the Nigerian social order or even set the nation ablaze. Some Nigerians tend to resort to divisive tendencies whenever a matter of national concern arises.”
He questioned the focus of the protest, noting, “For instance, the recently released Multidimensional Poverty Index by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that Ondo and Lagos have the lowest poverty rates in Nigeria. If the protest is about fighting poverty, why are mobilizers not more concerned about areas with high poverty rates like Zamfara, Yobe, Lafia, Abakaliki, Lokoja, and Yobe states, which have much worse poverty conditions?”
Both leaders emphasize the need for peaceful solutions and effective government action to address the nation’s challenges.
