Those Behind Nigeria’s Mismanaged Economy Now Using “hunger as weapon”: Christian Leaders

They underscore the suffering of ordinary citizens of the West African nation, saying, “The reality on the ground is evident for all to see.”

“Poverty and hunger affect all spheres of life. It fuels criminality and crime; it affects education; it affects quality healthcare,” the Christian leaders in the 19 Northern States and the FCT further say, and add, “Hunger affects citizens’ political choices.”

They call on the Muhammadu Buhari-led government “to address the problem of poverty and hunger in Nigeria.”

Eligible voters in Nigeria are set to go to the polls to elect their President, Vice President, members of the House of Representatives, and Senate on 25 February 2023. The election of State Governors has been slated for 11 March 2023.

In their October 6 statement, CAN officials urge Nigerians to ensure that the 2023 general elections are peaceful.

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“Election is not war. No politician is worth dying for. No one should take the laws into his or her hands,” CAN officials say.

They call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the general elections “are free, fair and credible.”

In their October 6 statement, CAN officials also express their concern about the protracted strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

“We called on the university teachers and the federal government to resolve their differences in the best interest of the nation and the future of our children,” the Church leaders say.

Reflecting on insecurity in Nigeria, CAN officials commend the security agencies in the West African nation for the “ongoing efforts to crush bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements unleashing mayhem on Nigerians, especially, in the north.”

“We are happy with the release of the remaining 23 abducted victims of the March 28 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train,” they say, and appeal to relevant authorities in the country “to take urgent steps to free many people who are still being held captive by terrorists.”

“In some communities, bandits demand millions of naira from the villagers before they are allowed to access their farms,” CAN officials in the 19 Northern States and the FCT say, and urge Nigeria’s Federal government “to take more drastic actions against the criminals”.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.