“The protest is a powerful call to governments at all levels to listen to the voices of the people,” – Anglican Bishops.

A recent report by the Daily Post reveals that the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has strongly criticized what it describes as the federal government’s “insensitive” response to the recent protests against widespread hardship and poor governance in the country ..Read Full Article

The bishops of the church, who convened in Abuja on Tuesday, expressed deep concern over the government’s apparent disregard for the suffering of its citizens….Read Full story…>>>

They pointed out that the administration has failed to address the underlying issues fueling the protests, and they urgently called for immediate action to alleviate hunger and improve governance across the nation.

In their deliberations, the church leaders also denounced the use of lethal force by security agencies against protesters. They emphasized the need for comprehensive training and retraining of security personnel to ensure they adhere to acceptable standards when dealing with civil unrest.

A statement issued at the conclusion of the House of Bishops’ meeting, signed by the Primate and Metropolitan of the Church, the Most Rev’d Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, and the Episcopal Secretary, the Rt. Rev’d Dr. Williams Aladekugbe, captured their concerns. “The protest is a clarion call to governments at all levels, especially the federal, to heed the cry of the people, and not scapegoat anyone as no government can legislate or stop people who are hungry from protesting.”

The bishops vehemently condemned the killing of some protesters by security forces, calling it unacceptable. They stressed the importance of equipping security agencies with proper training on how to handle such situations, advocating for a more humane and disciplined approach.

Furthermore, the clerics urged the government to engage in serious dialogue with the protesters and to develop both immediate and long-term strategies to address the widespread suffering in the country. They highlighted the necessity for swift and meaningful action to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians.

The church leaders also voiced their alarm over the growing threats of kidnapping and banditry, calling on the government to take decisive measures to ensure the safety and security of citizens, as well as to guarantee food security.

In addition, they welcomed the recent Supreme Court ruling that grants autonomy to local government areas, emphasizing the importance of its effective implementation to strengthen governance at the grassroots level.