The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have said the upcoming nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest would not have gathered momentum if President Bola Tinubu had addressed the hardship in the country.

The bishops, who noted that Nigerians were currently facing economic hardship, hunger and insecurity, said it is the right of the people to show their grievances against the government peacefully.

They made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting, held at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute, Igoba, Akure, Ondo State capital on Wednesday.

The communiqué was signed by the Archbishop of Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese, Gabriel Abegunrin and Bishop John Oyejola, the chairman and secretary of the meeting respectively.

“We strongly believe that if governments in Nigeria at all levels had responded more promptly and effectively to the groans and distress calls of the Nigerian people the current protest would not have gathered momentum. Nigerians have cried out about dire hunger in the land, persistent insecurity, failed promises, dashed hopes, outrageous cost of living and governance, and ineffectiveness of the rule of law in curbing criminality among public officials not to talk of many public officers’ ineptitude with serious national issues,” the communiqué read.

Noting that not everyone would want to join the demonstration against the government despite being affected by the hardships in the country, the bishop warned that the protesters should ensure they were orderly in exercising their constitutional rights as they agitate for a reform of the nation’s economy.

The clerics also called on the governments to be proactive and respond promptly to the suffering of Nigerians, stressing that no amount of threats or intimidation would stop the people who are tired of bad economic policies.

“The protests in Nigeria should be made to serve that purpose and none other. The protesters should exercise restraint and not disturb or intimidate those who may choose not to participate in the exercise knowing that it is their inalienable right not to do so. Such people should be allowed to go about their lawful business unhindered. The organizers of the protest have therefore a responsibility to ensure all these or call off the protest.

“We strongly urge the Federal, State and Local Governments to promptly attend to the distress call of the Nigerian people and turn a new leaf by responding promptly and effectively henceforth to the problems and distress of Nigerians. As we have said in the recent past, governance by palliatives, by intimidation or by hide and seek methods cannot provide a permanent solution to the challenges faced by the country”

The bishop further urged the security agencies in the country to be professional enough in handling the protest as well as the protesters to avoid violence and bloodshed.

“During this protest therefore relevant security organizations must show restraint and civility in discharging their duties and avoid violence and accidental deaths which unfortunately seem to have characterized past exercises in Nigeria,” they warned.

The organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest had announced a street demonstration starting from August 1, demanding Mr Tinubu to address numerous economic challenges including the hike in fuel prices and cost of food.