CAN urges Tinubu to reduce fuel and food prices

The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to reduce the price of fuel and the rising cost of food in the markets.

The call comes ahead of a nationwide hunger protest planned for August 1-10 by Nigerian youth.

CAN State President Dr Bulus Yohanna made the call on Sunday in his message to Catholic faithful, also urging youth to shelve the planned nationwide hunger protest, stating that protests and violence have never yielded positive results.

In his message titled ‘Let us avoid protests and violence’, the cleric said: “Christian faithful should not join the proposed nationwide protest as genuine protests can easily be exploited by thugs and selfish groups to wreak huge havoc on innocent citizens.

“Peace is a continuous and dynamic process that requires constant attention and constant effort to achieve and sustain it. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should, in addition to palliatives, work on price control of goods and services, address the rising cost of living and then reduce the price of fuel.

“Let us take advantage of the agricultural season, especially now that the Governor Agriculturist is proactive and has prioritized the agricultural sector in the hope of feeding the nation.”

Yohanna, who is also the Catholic bishop of Kontagora Diocese, called on block leaders, church leaders, local government coordinators and parents to urge their members and children to remember the book of Romans 13:1-3, which speaks about Christians not rebelling against constituted authority.

“As you know, there are plans to organize a nationwide protest across the country, but as children of God and responsible people known for peace, I urge everyone to avoid the protest and speak to our children, neighborhoods, and members of our congregation.

“Other well-meaning Nigerians, including our youths, have stated that they will not join the nationwide protest, and I want us to note that as a body, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State, will not be part of the exercise, but prefers to maintain a peaceful dialogue and continue to pray for our nation.

“Peaceful protests with clear demands are good, but they could be hijacked by miscreants and perceived as a security threat, which can lead to arrests and shootings, and we cannot afford to lose any of our children.

“There has never been a time when violence has had positive results; rather, it has caused destruction, loss of lives and setbacks. Thugs and selfish groups can easily take advantage of genuine protests to wreak enormous havoc on innocent citizens,” Yohanna said.

He further stated that “key stakeholders in Niger State have agreed not to join the protest especially since the agricultural governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has slashed food grain prices and promised to alleviate the suffering of the people.”