The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his economic policies, emphasizing that many Nigerians are deeply dissatisfied with them.
During his welcome address at the 2024 Second Plenary Assembly of the CBCN in Auchi, Edo State, Archbishop Ugorji, who also serves as the Archbishop of Owerri, expressed concern that President Tinubu’s economic reforms have done more harm than good. He stressed that the nation’s socio-economic challenges extend beyond what economic policies alone can solve, no matter how well-designed or implemented.
Archbishop Ugorji also suggested that it might be time to return to a regional system of government, arguing that such a system could help curb corruption and address deeper-rooted national issues that economic reforms have been unable to tackle.
He pointed out that the costs associated with Nigeria’s current presidential system, which includes many elected officials and support staff, are unsustainable. Furthermore, he noted that centralizing national resources at the federal level has only increased opportunities for corruption to thrive.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s 25 years of experimenting with the presidential system of governance, Ugorji suggested that now is the right time to consider a return to the regional system envisioned by the nation’s founding fathers or devolve power to the six geopolitical zones.
While acknowledging President Tinubu’s achievements, highlighted in his August 4th speech, Ugorji noted that the state of the nation remains concerning. He cited pressing issues such as the nation’s increased debt burden, including a $2.25 billion loan from the World Bank in June 2024, which pushed Nigeria’s public debt to $93.7 billion. Other challenges included multiple taxation, widespread hunger, and hardship worsened by insecurity.
Ugorji warned that urgent steps must be taken to prevent the situation from escalating into a larger crisis.
In his homily, Most Rev. Fr. Gabriel Dunia, Bishop of Auchi Diocese, advised those in power to lead with humility and serve the people rather than dominate them. He also reminded citizens of their duty to respect authority, as leaders are placed in their positions by God.
Bishop Dunia emphasized that problems like banditry, corruption, and poor governance can be overcome through fasting and prayer. He rejected the idea that God no longer hears the prayers of Nigerians, affirming that the bishops had gathered in Auchi to pray for the nation’s future, trusting in God’s mercy to bring about positive change.
(DP)