Niger CAN tasks Christians not to join nationwide protest

As part of efforts to ensure peace prevails across the state, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state has called on faithful not to join the proposed nationwide protest saying “genuine protest can easily be seized by hoodlums and selfish groups to cause enormous havoc on innocent citizens.”

Making the call in his message titled: Let us shun protest, violence has never yielded positive results that was announced in churches and made available to Journalists in Sunday, the State CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna described peace as an ongoing and dynamic process that demands perpetual attention and constant effort to attain and maintain.

Dr. Yohanna who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to apart from the palliatives work on price control for goods and services, address rising cost of living and then reduce the price of fuel.

While calling on Bloc leaders, church leaders, local government coordinators and parents to admonish their members and children, charged them to remember the book of Romans 13:1-3 which talks about Christians not rebel against constituted authority.

Accordingly, he said “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 and I want us to note that 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.”

Bishop Yohanna cited the following as reasons for Christians to shun the protest: “Peaceful protest with clear demands is good but such could be hijacked by miscreants and be perceived by security threat which can lead to arrests/shootings. And we cannot afford to lose any of our children.

There is no time that violence had led to positive results, rather it has caused destructions, loss of lives and setbacks; Genuine protest can easily be seized by hoodlums and selfish groups to cause enormous havoc on innocent citizens.”

He stated further that, “major stakeholders in Niger state have agreed not to join the protest especially as the farmer Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago has slashed the prices of grains and has promised to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.”

Bishop Yohanna however urged governments at all levels to do all they can to shun ethnic and religious division, saying “let there be greater accountability, fairness in empowerment, job opportunities, employment into various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), military and paramilitaries, sharing the commonwealth and then allow justice to prevail at all times.

It is said that an idle brain is the department of the devil. If you have nothing to do the devil will employ you for his work.”