As Nigeria prepares for the nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, the Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have issued a call for participants to ensure their actions remain peaceful and orderly.
The bishops made the appeal following a meeting at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute in Igoba, Akure, Ondo State. They underscored the need for security agencies to protect protesters from potential violence, emphasizing that protests should be conducted in a manner consistent with democratic principles.
In a communiqué signed by Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin of the Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese and Bishop John Oyejola, the bishops highlighted that while the right to protest is a fundamental democratic right, it must be exercised with respect and order.
The statement read, “Protests should be conducted to fulfill their intended purpose without causing unnecessary disruption. Protesters must be allowed to express their views without impeding others who choose not to participate.”
The bishops also stressed that protest organizers have a responsibility to ensure the demonstrations are peaceful and non-disruptive. They cautioned against any attempts to intimidate or obstruct those who opt out of the protest, affirming that it is their right to do so.
Furthermore, the clerics urged all levels of government to be more proactive and responsive to the needs and grievances of Nigerian citizens. They suggested that a more timely and effective response from the government could have mitigated the need for such protests.
The bishops’ statement aims to ensure that the protest remains a constructive platform for addressing grievances, rather than a source of conflict or disorder.
