Sam Philip
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been tasked to tackle the real causes of incessant nationwide protests in the federation to allow peace to reign and for him to face governance squarely.
This was contained in a statement signed by leader of Success Gate C&S Christ Church International Incorporated all over the world, His Grace Primate (DR) Ade Ademisokun-Turton heralding the 40th anniversary of the church.
He urged President Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, critically look at issues of inflation, insecurity and other indices causing hardship in the country.
Nevertheless, Primate Ademisokun-Turton noted that the economic policies being implemented by President Tinubu are inevitable if the nation is truly ready to progress.
But the Baba Alakoso, Unification of C&S Church Akure and Environs, and Chairman, C&S Unification of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, condemned discriminate arrest of protesters, noting that the citizens have a right to express their grievances in peaceful manner.
He said: “What the government is currently doing on the issue of the economy is inevitable if the country must progress.
“However, shutting people up whenever they want to protest is not part of democracy. This casts aspersion on the sincerity of the present administration.
“The government has mainly avoided addressing the core issues that sparked the protests, such as inflation, insecurity, and inequality.
“His response to calls for protest was to gaslight the public, suggesting that protest wasn’t an option and trying to exploit ethnic and social divisions.
“The fundamental rights of citizens to express themselves peacefully, come together, and protest for their rights and well-being are granted under Section 39 of the 1999 national constitution.
“The government is bound by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The President must respect people’s rights to protest as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and its international human rights obligations.
“Although, the president has said before now that he will start from where former President, Mohammadu Buhari stopped. Maybe Nigerians forgot that statement when the president was campaigning. No doubt about the fact that the former administration was stylishly corrupt. That means that the corruption will continue unabated.
“He also told us that he is going to reduce the purchasing power which he has been doing since he assumed office as the President. Nevertheless, the President must listen to the yearning of Nigerians.
“Nigerians are suffering due to the harsh economic policies, insecurity, and other issues bedeviling the country and its citizens.
“There must be an urgent solution(s) to address all these, or else, we are currently sitting on a keg of gunpowder.
“The system must change if we want to make any progress as a nation. The current system we are practising is corruption personified. The system as of today is corrupt on its own.
“There must be electoral reform in the country. Each of the regions must be allowed to grow at its own pace.”
In preparation for the anniversary celebration of the church’s great milestone, the authority of the church has outlined a programme that will start from Wednesday, 6th November to Sunday, 17th November this month.
According to Primate(Dr.) Ade Ademisokun-Turton, “the 40th anniversary of the church will start from 6th with a press conference, Armada vigil, militia brigade passing out parade, the headquarters anniversary, covenant special service, and anniversary get-together with a live band, revival, choir concert, and praise night to the rugby anniversary thanksgiving service on 17th of November 2024.’
The church was founded on November 11, 1984 in Akure, the capital city of Ondo State.