Catholic Bishops urge Tinubu to rethink economic policies amid growing discontent

The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has urged President Bola Tinubu to reassess his administration’s economic policies, citing widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians.

Speaking at the opening session of the CBCN’s 2024 Second Plenary Assembly in Auchi, Edo State, Archbishop Ugorji, who also serves as the Archbishop of Owerri, highlighted the adverse impact these policies have had on the populace.

Archbishop Ugorji emphasized that Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges extend beyond what current economic reforms can address, regardless of how carefully they are implemented.

He expressed concern that the policies under President Tinubu’s administration were no longer effective and advocated for a return to a regional system of government. According to Ugorji, such a move could curb corruption and place the nation on a more sustainable path.

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Reflecting on the nation’s governance structure, he remarked, “The cost of running our military-imposed presidential system of government, with its numerous elected officials and support staff, is staggering and unsustainable.”

He argued that the concentration of national resources at the federal level fosters corruption, and that devolving power to the six geo-political zones or reverting to a regional system, as envisioned by Nigeria’s founding fathers, might offer a solution.

While acknowledging the achievements cited by President Tinubu in his August 4th speech, Archbishop Ugorji did not shy away from pointing out the troubling state of the nation.

He referenced the rising public debt, which increased by 2.46% to $93.7 billion following a $2.25 billion loan from the World Bank in June 2024.

He also highlighted the challenges of multiple taxation, widespread hunger, and the insecurity-induced hardship faced by many Nigerians, warning that these issues require immediate and proactive intervention to prevent a deeper crisis.

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In a related address, Most Rev. Fr. Gabriel Dunia, Bishop of Auchi Diocese, reminded those in positions of authority of their responsibility to serve rather than dominate.

He urged citizens to respect their leaders, emphasizing that good governance, free from corruption and banditry, could be achieved through collective fasting and prayer.

Despite the challenges, Bishop Dunia assured that God hears the prayers of Nigerians and expressed confidence that the nation’s fortunes could still be turned around through divine intervention.

The gathering of bishops in Auchi was marked by a collective commitment to praying for Nigeria’s future, with the hope that their spiritual efforts would lead to positive change for the country.