Hardship: Kwankwaso supporters tell Tinubu to heed Catholic Bishops

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

The South-East chapter of the Kwankwaso National Network (KNN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to listen to the Catholic Bishops over the worsening economic hardship in the country instead of allowing his aides to attack them for criticising the government.

The group said the Bishops’ concerns reflected the reality facing millions of Nigerians battling rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.

In a statement yesterday, the South-East Coordinator of KNN, Ukpa Iro Ukpai, urged Tinubu to rise above partisan considerations and engage the Bishops’ concerns.

“The President should listen carefully to the message of the Catholic Bishops instead of allowing overzealous aides and political appointees to attack respected men of God for expressing legitimate concerns about the condition of the country,” he said.

Ukpai said the Bishops deserved commendation rather than condemnation for speaking out on the condition of Nigerians.

“Their intervention, in our considered view, reflects the mood of millions of Nigerians who are struggling daily with the harsh economic realities in the country and yearning for meaningful changes in governance,” he said.

He accused some presidential aides of attacking the messengers rather than addressing the issues raised by the Bishops.

“It is unfortunate that rather than engage the substance of the Bishops’ concerns, some persons within the Presidency have chosen the familiar route of attacking the messengers,” he said.

KNN reminded the Presidency that democratic governance did not shield those in power from criticism, saying the ability to listen to opposing views was essential to democracy.

“The strength of democracy lies in the ability of leaders to listen to opposing views, especially when such views come from respected voices representing large sections of society,” Ukpai said.

He said the Catholic Bishops were not political opponents of Tinubu but spiritual leaders with a responsibility to speak on issues affecting the welfare and future of Nigerians.

The group also commended the Bishops for speaking out as Nigerians contend with economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and declining purchasing power.