CurrentReport Blog The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Council, has issued a call to the Christian community, urging them to refrain from participating in the upcoming nationwide protest. The council emphasized that well-intentioned protests can be exploited by malevolent actors, leading to significant harm to innocent citizens.
In a message titled “Let Us Shun Protest, Violence Has Never Yielded Positive Results,” announced in churches and shared with the press, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the State CAN Chairman and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, highlighted the importance of peace. He described peace as a continuous and dynamic effort requiring persistent attention and effort to achieve and sustain.
Dr. Yohanna also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address key economic issues. He urged the President to work on price control for goods and services, tackle the rising cost of living, and reduce fuel prices, in addition to providing palliatives.
Emphasizing Peace and Agricultural Efforts
The CAN Chairman encouraged Christians to take advantage of the farming season, noting the proactive measures taken by the Farmer Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, to prioritize agriculture with the goal of feeding the nation. He also appealed to bloc leaders, church leaders, local government coordinators, and parents to counsel their members and children, referencing Romans 13:1-3, which advises against rebellion against constituted authority.
Dr. Yohanna stressed, “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, 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. As a Body, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state will not be part of the exercise but rather prefer to have peaceful dialogue and continue to pray for our nation.”
Reasons to Avoid the Protest
The CAN Chairman outlined several reasons for Christians to avoid the protest:
- Potential for Hijacking: Peaceful protests with clear demands can be hijacked by miscreants, posing a security threat and possibly leading to arrests or shootings.
- Violence Yields Negative Outcomes: Historically, violence has resulted in destruction, loss of lives, and setbacks rather than positive outcomes.
- Government Measures: Major stakeholders in Niger state have decided not to join the protest, especially given Governor Bago’s efforts to reduce the prices of grains and alleviate the people’s suffering.
Call for Government Accountability
Bishop Yohanna also urged all levels of government to avoid ethnic and religious divisions and to promote greater accountability and fairness in job opportunities, employment in various sectors, and distribution of the commonwealth. He emphasized the need for justice to prevail at all times, warning against the dangers of idleness: “An idle brain is the department of the devil. If you have nothing to do, the devil will employ you for his work.”
