Catholic Bishops condemn Tinubu’s reforms, lament socio-economic hardship on Nigerians
In a scathing rebuke directed at President Bola Tinubu, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has launched a blistering critique, accusing the incumbent leader of instigating a wave of unprecedented suffering across the nation through his controversial socio-economic reforms.
Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the President of CBCN, delivered a resolute indictment, highlighting the profound anguish gripping Nigerian families amidst escalating food prices and widespread deprivation.
The bishops did not mince words as they decried the harrowing plight of communities besieged by criminal elements, which has precipitated the loss of ancestral lands, economic stagnation, school closures, and an overarching climate of insecurity. At the heart of their censure lies President Tinubu’s contentious decision to withdraw fuel subsidies and implement a unified foreign exchange market—a move vehemently opposed by the CBCN.
The ripple effects of these policies, according to the bishops, are readily apparent in the sharp escalation of petroleum product prices and the relentless depreciation of the Naira. These economic shocks have catalyzed a vicious cycle of inflation, rendering basic commodities increasingly unaffordable for ordinary Nigerians struggling to make ends meet. Despite the government’s assurances of ameliorating measures, the CBCN remains steadfast in its condemnation, attributing the growing suffering being experienved by Nigerians directly to the president’s reform agenda.
While acknowledging the state’s ostensible commitment to addressing socio-economic maladies and security challenges, the bishops contend that the purported solutions have only served to compound the populace’s woes. They advocate for a paradigm shift in combating corruption, stressing the imperative of instituting robust checks and balances in public financial management to stem the tide of embezzlement and malfeasance.
Expressing palpable disappointment with the government’s lack of transparency regarding the purported benefits of fuel subsidy removal, the CBCN underscores the perilous trajectory of Nigeria’s mounting foreign debts, incurred in a bid to offset budget deficits. This myopic approach, the bishops assert, not only imperils the nation’s future prosperity but also compromises the welfare of succeeding generations.
In their impassioned plea for redress, the CBCN calls for a comprehensive reassessment of President Tinubu’s reform agenda, advocating for policies that prioritise the welfare of the Nigerian populace above all else. They emphasise the urgent need for tangible evidence of fiscal prudence and accountability, demanding concrete measures to alleviate the acute suffering endured by millions of Nigerians ensnared in the quagmire of economic hardship and insecurity.
