The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has criticized the federal government for its ineptitude and failure to address the pressing security and economic challenges facing the nation.
Elder Sunday Oibe, Secretary General of Northern CAN, called on the federal government to issue a public apology instead of attempting to influence religious and traditional leaders to suppress the planned nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship.
He stated that life in Nigeria has become increasingly unbearable due to these persistent problems.
The group urged the government to move beyond superficial solutions and implement pragmatic measures that offer lasting relief.
Oibe said, “There is no denying the fact that life in Nigeria has become unbearable as a result of these problems.
“Nigerians are indeed hungry, angry, and as resilient as they had always been, they are becoming hopeless about the state of the Nigerian nation.”
The statement criticized the government’s approach to import duties on food as inadequate given the current economic climate
Northern CAN also expressed concern about attempts to introduce religious, ethnic, and regional sentiments into the protest.
Oibe warned against these divisive tactics, stressing that hunger and economic distress affect all Nigerians regardless of their background.
The statement recalled that “In January 2012, President Bola Tinubu and many of those who are in power today, mobilised Nigerians to a protest tagged “Occupy Nigeria”, to resist plans by former President Goodluck Jonathan to remove subsidy on petrol.
“Jonathan was forced to stop it. The economic situation in Nigeria today is worse than that of the Jonathan’s era.
“We advise politicians to be mindful of their actions and inactions as ‘what goes around, comes around.
“In the past eight years, corruption became an acceptable norm with thieving political officeholders flaunting their ill-gotten wealth in a flamboyant style amid mass poverty and deprivation.
“The masses have lost confidence in government because Nigeria seems to be moving backwards instead of moving forward.“
