Rita Odafe
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has urged Christians to avoid participating in the planned nationwide protest set for Aug. 1 to 10.
This call was made by Bishop Bulus Yohanna, the CAN chairman in the state, to prevent the protest from being taken advantage of by troublemakers that could endanger innocent citizens.
Bishop Yohanna emphasized during church sessions on Sunday, July 28, that violent protests rarely produce positive outcomes and could result in chaos and harm.
He urged church leaders, local government representatives, and parents to discourage their followers and children from engaging in any form of protest to maintain peace.
Referencing the book of Romans 13:1-3 which advises against rebelling, Yohanna stressed the importance of upholding peace and avoiding acts of violence.
“In light of the upcoming nationwide protest, let us, as followers of God and responsible individuals, eschew participation in any form of unrest and instead guide our congregants and youth away from such activities,” Yohanna stated.
He highlighted that many Nigerians, including the youth, have already chosen not to partake in the protest.
“Although CAN in Niger State will not partake in the protest, we advocate for peaceful dialogues and continuous prayers for the country,” he added.
“Peaceful protests with specific demands are acceptable, but they can be manipulated by troublemakers and misinterpreted as threats by security forces, leading to arrests or violent altercations,” he cautioned.
“History has shown that violence only breeds destruction, loss of lives, and setbacks rather than yielding positive results,” Yohanna affirmed.
He mentioned that key stakeholders in Niger State have united in refraining from joining the protest and emphasized the importance for governments at all levels to combat corruption and prevent divisive behaviors based on ethnicity or religious beliefs.
