Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, has called on President Bola Tinubu to proactively engage in discussions with peaceful protesters rather than viewing them as the source of Nigeria’s challenges.
The cardinal pointed out that unarmed demonstrators are not responsible for the nation’s issues. This comes in light of recent protests organized under the banner of EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, where citizens voiced their frustrations over the escalating hardships they faced for ten days.
During these protests, participants articulated various demands directed at President Tinubu. In response, the president conveyed his willingness to engage in dialogue during a nationwide address.
However, Cardinal Onaiyekan critiqued Tinubu’s response, emphasizing the need for the president to take a more active role in initiating conversations with the protesters. He stated, “Unarmed protesters are not the root cause of our problems. While our president has expressed a desire to engage with those dissatisfied, he needs to take the first step.”
He further remarked, “Is this truly how we initiate dialogue? A change in attitude is crucial. The individuals protesting are ordinary young people who are suffering from hunger.”
The cardinal underscored that the government’s role is to alleviate the pain and struggles of its citizens, stressing that a genuine response to the youth’s concerns is necessary.
“When we talk about the youth today, we are referring to those aged 35 and younger. Many of them have completed their education and possess valuable skills,” he added.
