The Bishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) have voiced their concerns to President Ahmed Tinubu regarding the severe economic hardship affecting Nigerians, largely attributed to recent government policies, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy.
In a communique issued by the House of Bishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) following their Episcopal Synod, presided over by Archbishop Henry C. Ndukuba, the Bishops called for an urgent reassessment of these economic policies. They recommended a collaborative approach that includes input from diverse political, religious, and ethnic groups. Additionally, they urged the convening of an emergency economic summit to bring together credible Nigerians to establish a more stable economic trajectory for the country.
Signed by Rt Rev Williams Aladekugbe, the Episcopal Secretary, the communique highlighted that misguided economic decisions may have exacerbated the widespread suffering in Nigeria. The Bishops implored the government to prioritize food security to prevent potential civil unrest.
The Bishops emphasized the importance of agricultural participation across the country, suggesting that state and local governments should take the lead by supporting farmers with necessary resources and services to enhance productivity.
Reflecting on the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, the Bishops warned that the government must listen to the people’s grievances rather than resorting to punitive measures, noting that hunger transcends ethnicity and religion. They criticized the perceived insensitivity of authorities who, while asking for public sacrifice, continue to display extravagance in the face of widespread poverty. Although they condemned the violence and destruction that accompanied some protests, the Bishops also condemned the actions of security forces that led to the deaths of some protesters, calling for better training in handling such situations.
The Bishops also praised the recent Supreme Court ruling that granted financial autonomy to local governments, expressing hope that it would lead to significant improvements in education, healthcare, food security, and infrastructure across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. They stressed the importance of vigilant oversight in managing local government finances, warning that without robust financial security measures, the intended benefits could be undermined by corruption.
