Protests: Catholic Bishops blame govts at all levels

The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, comprising Ibadan Archdiocese, Ilorin, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Osogbo Dioceses, have blamed governments at all levels for being the cause of the nationwide protests.

The Bishops, in a communique issued at the end its meeting at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute, Igoba, Akure, Ondo State, said these levels of goverments failed to promptly respond to the groans and distress calls of Nigerians.

The cleric noted that Nigerians have cried out about hunger in the land, including insecurity, failed promises, dashed hopes, outrageous cost of living, among others and called on the federal, state and local governments to promptly respond to the distress call to avoid embarrassing situation.

The communique, which was signed by the chairman, Most Rev ‘Leke Gabriel Abegunrin and Secretary, Most Rev John Akin Oyejola, the Bishops urged those at the corridors of power to turn a new leaf by being sensitive to the plight of the people.

Reminding them that governance by palliatives, intimidation or hide and seek methods cannot provide a permanent solution to the economic challenges the people are facing, the Bishops enjoined security organisations to show restraint and civility in discharging their duties and avoid violence and accidental deaths, during the protest, which according to them were some of the features of past protests in the country.

“Protests are organised to draw government’s attention to the opinion or demands of people or groups in society. In Nigeria, protests has raised a furore of opinions regarding its legitimacy and expediency. Many believe that the protests are not a solution to Nigeria’s problems. They are right. Protests are not meant to provide solutions to problems, they are rather held as a last resort for citizens who have cried out for solutions to problems and government have not been listening.”

The Bishops, however, urged protesters to exercise restraint and not to disturb or intimidate those who may choose not to participate in the exercise, knowing that it is their inalienable right not to do so.

“Our current situation of hunger and deprivation is not as a result of economic poverty, but rather due to greed, corruption lack of accountability, lawlessness, indiscipline, selfishness and poor attitude to work,” Bishops said.

The Bishops also decried the halting demonisation of religious depictions of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” painting with contemporary ideological figures at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2024 in France, saying the painting is “clearly offensive to Christianity. It is shocking and disrespectful painting to our faith.”