Don’t mistake citizens’ patience for acceptance of hardship, Christian elders tell Tinubu

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on the government at all levels to tackle insecurity and ease the financial burden on poor Nigerians.

This charge was contained in a communiqué issued at the Closing Mass of the 2026 2nd Plenary Meeting of the bishops held yesterday at St. Benedict Cathedral, Osogbo, Osun State on Thursday.

Also, Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF) urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the latest increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), warning that Nigerians’ patience with worsening economic hardship should not be mistaken for acceptance.

The CBCN communiqué signed by the President, the Archbishop of Kaduna, Matthew Man-Oso Ndagoso; and the Secretary, Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese, Peter Odetoyinbo, and read during the Mass, lamented that worsening killings and attacks had been slowing down the people’s lives and the nation’s economy.

The meeting was hosted by the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo at Our Lady and St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Oke-Gada, Ede, Osun State, between September 10 and 18, 2026.

While appreciating the positive efforts by governments and citizens in keeping the nation united despite all odds, the bishops regretted that insecurity, poverty, poor infrastructure, bad governance, and the assault on human dignity continued to ravage the country and its citizens.

On insecurity, the CBCN recognised the government’s move to decentralise the police system to tackle insecurity in the nation, but at the same time requested that such a reorganisation be deployed for the common good rather than for personal, ethnic, political, and religious interests.

“We observe that incidents of widespread violence, kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining and stealing of our common natural resources persist. All of these rob citizens of peace and threaten the nation’s unity. In a special way, we demand the government to do all that is necessary to stop banditry and recover the vast portions of land used for this criminal activity and ensure a productive and beneficial use of the land,” the conference noted.

The CBCN further expressed concern that the invasion of schools and places of worship and abduction or even killing of students and worshippers still go on.

On the forthcoming general elections, the bishops called on all stakeholders to work for credible elections.
FOR households already struggling to keep up with food prices, transport fares and other basic expenses, the Northern elders said another petrol price increase would only tighten the squeeze, further weaken purchasing power and deepen the uncertainty confronting millions of Nigerians.

In a statement by its Chairman, Sunday Oibe, the forum urged Tinubu to use the remaining period of his administration to tackle the immediate pressures on citizens, including the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and the decay of critical infrastructure.

“The patience of Nigerians should not be mistaken for acceptance of perpetual hardship,” NOSCEF warned.

The elders urged the government to look beyond repeated increases in the cost of petroleum products if it needs additional revenue to fund its programmes and obligations, arguing that alternative, sustainable sources should be explored rather than continually shifting the burden onto citizens.

They said the welfare of Nigerians should also take precedence over political calculations ahead of future elections, insisting that the government must respond to the economic realities facing ordinary families.

According to NOSCEF, the combination of hunger, insecurity, unemployment, infrastructural decay and declining purchasing power had left many Nigerians facing a profound sense of uncertainty and hopelessness.

It, therefore, called for measures to reduce the cost of living and restore household purchasing power, create productive economic opportunities for young Nigerians, strengthen the fight against insecurity and accelerate the provision and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure.