The Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have advised Nigerians who want to join in the August 1 statewide protest to maintain order.

The bishops who issued the warning did so following a meeting at the Domus Pacis Pastoral Institute in Igoba, Akure, the capital of Ondo State. They stated that security authorities were required to protect protesters from any kind of violence.

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In a statement released following the conference and signed by Bishop John Oyejola and Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin of the Ibadan Catholic Archdiocese, the bishops underlined that protests in any typical democratic environment should not be taken too seriously.

They emphasised that the freedom to protest was protected in democratic environments everywhere, but they also said that protesters should maintain order while using their constitutional rights.

The communique read in parts, “The protests in Nigeria should be made to serve that purpose and none other. Such people should be allowed to go about their lawful business unhindered.

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“The organisers of the protest have therefore a responsibility to ensure all these or call off the protest. 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.”

“We strongly believe that the current protest would not have gathered momentum if governments in Nigeria at all levels had responded more promptly and effectively to the groans and distress calls of the Nigerian people,” said the clerics who urged governments at all levels to be proactive and responsive to the suffering of Nigerians.

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