CAN knocks Catholic Bishops for supporting nationwide protest

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ekiti chapter, has challenged the Catholic Bishops for backing the proposed nationwide protest.

On Tuesday, the Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province expressed concern over the anxiety the proposed protest generated in the country.

In a statement, it said protests are organized to draw the attention of governments and authorities to the opinions or demands of people or groups in society.

Catholic Bishops remarked; “Protest is a normal phenomenon in a democratic setting because the right to protest is guaranteed in true democracies all over the world”.

However, the State Chairman of CAN, Rev. Emmanuel Aribasoye at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, on Wednesday, said the position of the Bishops does not reflect the best interests of Nigerians.

Aribasoye also urged Ekiti youths to engage in constructive dialogue with the government to address pressing issues such as hunger, insecurity, among others.

He acknowledged that protest is a legitimate means of expressing grievances to the government but urged youths to reconsider this path and seek dialogue as a way to achieve lasting peace.

The CAN chairman said in part; “The Bishops who supported the planned nationwide protest are not working for the interest of Nigerians. As the apex body of Christian organizations in Ekiti State, we are deeply concerned about the state of our nation and the proposed protest by some youths.”