Concerned about the increasing number of revolts across the country, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, who is leaving his position as chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State Chapter, urged Nigerians to refrain from using violence during protests.
The high cost of living and the current economic climate have sparked protests in several regions of the nation.
According to Hayab, it will undoubtedly be counterproductive for Nigeria if protesters damage government buildings, establishments, or infrastructure.
Consequently, Nigerians must work together to reconsider the most effective means of escaping the current predicament. The country is so angry and starving that criminals and narcissistic organizations may simply exploit legitimate protests to inflict massive damage on defenseless civilians.
The statement by theHayab headlined “Addressing Nigeria’s Rising Cost Of Living Needs Wisdom” makes it clear that most Nigerians are finding life difficult because to the increase in commodity costs.
“So, Nigerians should not let anyone, group or organization convince them to go on street protests because of the high cost of living. Some bad actors could use the protest as an opportunity to undo the progress the country has made, which would only make things worse now and in the future,” he noted.
He urged all Nigerians—religious leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders, young and old alike—and the political class to work together to protect the progress the country has made toward democracy and to provide constructive advice on how to move forward.
His argument was that everyone is equally affected by poverty because it does not discriminate based on race, religion, geography, or political affiliation. Because of this, Nigerians must band together to fix the problem. In any case, the current government cannot be held solely responsible for the current economic disaster.