The bishops of the Catholic Church in southwest Nigeria have spoken out against any military action in the Niger Republic and have cautioned the leaders and officials of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The bishops criticized the country’s economic and political conditions and urged its authorities to act fast to avert calamity from befalling the country.
In a statement following a meeting of the Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, which included the dioceses of Ibadan Archdiocese, Ilorin, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, and Osogbo, held at the Pope John Paul II Pastoral Center Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, on August 16 and 17, 2023, the clergy issued the warning.
Most Rev. John Oyejola, the Secretary, and Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, the President, both signed the resolution.
The Daily Sun quoted the bishops to have observed with displeasure that
“fellow Nigerians were merely staying alive in these intriguing and debilitating times, occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and escalating cost of essential goods and services.”
“The average Nigerian is shell-shocked and driven almost to desperation. As citizens of one of the wealthiest nations on the planet and yet unable to live decent lives, Nigerians are still desperate for better times which seem now more and more like a mirage.
“Most of our current leaders seem to lead the country without any compass, hardly knowing what to do about anything. The demands of Nigerians are straightforward namely: purposeful leadership and good governance, verifiable security of life and property, decent infrastructure and social amenities, the enforcement of the rule of law, and a conducive atmosphere for development.
“All Nigerian leaders stand indicted unless they make a change, shun prebendalism, and serve the aspirations of their people,” they regretted.
The bishops also lamented the exit of the youths in droves in search of the greener pasture overseas which is leading to the brain drain in all facets of the country’s life.
They suggested that
“the hemorrhage can only be controlled if government responds to its duties of forging a conducive environment for Nigerians to attain their legitimate aspirations in life.”
On the coup in Niger and the ECOWAS resolutions, the bishops reminded ECOWAS leaders that “Nigerians favour negotiation and other non-military means,’ while urging President Bola Tinubu “to listen to Nigerians before anyone else.”
They called on the National Assembly
“to avoid involving Nigeria in armed conflict in Niger as we have more than enough challenges domestically,” adding that “no Nigerian life should be sacrificed for the crisis in Niger or anywhere else because the war of any kind is a failure of humanity.”