The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called for a return to a regional government system, criticizing the presidential system’s inefficacy over the past 25 years. The bishops voiced their concerns at the opening of the 2nd CBCN Plenary Meeting in Auchi, Edo State.
Archbishop Lucius Ugorji, President of CBCN, highlighted several critical issues plaguing Nigeria, including rampant corruption, a burdensome national debt, and widespread hunger. He argued that the presidential system, with its high operational costs and numerous officials, has been unsustainable and has facilitated extensive corruption. The bishops suggested revisiting the regional system of government, as initially envisioned by the nation’s founders, or devolving power to the six geo-political zones.
Ugorji also criticized the government’s current economic reforms, likening them to the failed Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the 1980s. He pointed out that, despite efforts to mitigate SAP’s adverse effects, such as initiatives by General Ibrahim Babangida, similar outcomes could be expected from the current administration’s policies if they remain unchanged.
In addition, Ugorji condemned recent violence during the #EndBadGovernance protests, emphasizing that while the protests deviated from their intended peaceful nature, it is wrong to suppress constitutional rights. He also expressed concern over the recent abduction of Catholic medical students in Otukpo, Benue State.
The CBCN President highlighted Nigeria’s mounting debt, including a $2.25 billion World Bank loan, and called for urgent measures to address the nation’s severe socio-economic challenges before they escalate further.
