#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: Baptist Church Urges Tinubu to Heed Warning Signs

The Nigerian Baptist Convention has sent an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to seriously consider the early warning signs of danger in the country and find realistic solutions to the economic hardships facing the nation. This message was conveyed by the Convention’s President, Rev. Israel Akanji, in a letter released on Friday, amidst the ongoing #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests.

Akanji stressed the importance of the government being perceived as actively addressing the struggles of the people and appealed for patience and understanding. He stated, “The three tiers of government must acknowledge the existing hardships and develop realistic strategies to lead the nation out of these problems.”

He further noted that the current palliatives provided by the government are inadequate, comparing them to “a drop in the mighty ocean of our problems.” Akanji suggested that the government should visibly appeal to the public for patience as they work diligently to alleviate the economic difficulties.

He also highlighted the need for improved security measures to allow farmers to return to their fields, thereby addressing food insecurity. “The government should enhance security to enable farmers to return to their farms, reducing food insecurity in the country,” he said.

Additionally, Akanji advocated for incentivizing youths to engage in farming before the rainy season ends and recommended the revival of the practice of storing farm produce in silos nationwide.

He proposed creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the youth and suggested offering tax holidays and other incentives to the industrial and business sectors to encourage the return of small and large industries that have left the country, which would, in turn, generate employment.

Akanji also urged the government to reconsider the removal of the fuel subsidy by significantly lowering the current prices of fuel products in the country. He called for the Central Bank to take action to stop the depreciation of the Naira, emphasizing that no country should allow its currency to decline unchecked.

Furthermore, he highlighted the need for political officeholders to reflect the country’s economic reality, particularly regarding their salaries and benefits. He suggested that, like the House of Representatives, which reduced its members’ wages, the Federal Executive Council should also consider similar measures if the cabinet size cannot be reduced.

The NBC President emphasized the importance of consulting traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders before implementing policies that could trigger protests. He noted that addressing issues only after they have escalated shows a repetition of past mistakes.

Finally, Akanji urged the government to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders to reduce the current tensions in the country. He stressed the importance of taking early warning signs seriously, noting that respecting and addressing the concerns of the masses promptly could have prevented the current crisis.