The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to cut fuel prices and the rising cost of food in the markets.
This call comes ahead of Nigerian youths’ planned statewide hunger protest from August 1 to 10.
Dr. Bulus Yohanna, the State CAN Chairman, issued the request in a message to the Catholic faithful on Sunday and also urged youths to postpone the planned statewide hunger strike, claiming that protests and violence have never generated positive results.
In his statement titled ‘Let Us Shun Protest and Violence’, the cleric said, “Christian faithful should not join the proposed nationwide protest, as genuine protests can easily be seized by hoodlums and selfish groups to cause enormous havoc on innocent citizens.
“Peace is an ongoing and dynamic process that demands perpetual attention and constant effort to attain and maintain. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should, apart from the palliatives, work on price control for goods and services, address the rising cost of living, and then reduce the price of fuel.
“Let us take advantage of the farming season, especially now that the farmer governor is proactive and has prioritised the agriculture sector with the hope of feeding the nation.”
Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, urged bloc leaders, church leaders, local government coordinators, and parents to remind their members and children of Romans 13:1-3, which instructs Christians not to rebel against constituted authority.
“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.
“Other well-meaning Nigerians, including our youths, have declared that they won’t join the nationwide protest, and I want us to note that as a body, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State, will not be part of the exercise but rather prefers to have peaceful dialogue and continue to pray for our nation.
“Peaceful protests with clear demands are good, but such could be hijacked by miscreants and be perceived as a security threat, which can lead to arrests and shootings, and we cannot afford to lose any of our children.
“There is no time that violence has led to positive results; rather, it has caused destruction, loss of lives, and setbacks. Genuine protests can easily be seized by hoodlums and selfish groups to cause enormous havoc on innocent citizens,” Yohanna said.
Furthermore, he stated that “major stakeholders in Niger State have agreed not to join the protest, especially as the Farmer Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has slashed the prices of grains and has promised to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.”
