The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has asked President Bola Tinubu to take seriously concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria on rising hardship, insecurity and high cost of living.
Obi, in a statement on Wednesday by his media aide, Idris Zekeri Jnr, faulted attempts by presidential aides to dismiss the bishops’ position, saying the clerics remain trusted voices who reflect the realities of ordinary Nigerians.
He said the disagreement between the Presidency and the bishops shows the danger of insulating the President from the daily struggles of the citizens.
According to him, bishops, by virtue of their presence in communities nationwide, are uniquely placed to understand the economic and social challenges confronting Nigerians.
The statement partly read, “Unlike political office holders who may present favourable reports to protect their positions, religious leaders receive firsthand accounts of hardship from parishioners, community members and faith-based institutions.
“Excessive reliance on advisers could create an echo chamber around the President and prevent him from receiving objective assessments of the country’s situation.”
Obi described prominent clerics, including John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, as credible voices capable of providing independent feedback on the impact of government policies.
He said religious leaders serve as important channels for expressing public concerns peacefully and help to bridge the gap between government and citizens during periods of economic and social difficulty.
“The pastoral warnings presented by the CBCN are not designed to undermine the administration but to anchor policy in the lived experiences of everyday Nigerians,” the statement added.
It urged the President to regard the bishops as trusted whistleblowers whose perspectives could help align government policies with the realities facing Nigerians.
