In a pointed critique of the current administration’s economic strategies, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Owerri, has called on President Bola Tinubu to revisit his economic policies. The Archbishop’s remarks were delivered during the opening session of the 2024 Second Plenary Assembly of the CBCN in Auchi, Edo State, reflecting the growing unease among Nigerians regarding the government’s approach to economic management.
During his address on Sunday, Archbishop Ugorji did not mince words in expressing the bishops’ concerns. He highlighted the adverse effects of President Tinubu’s economic policies, stating unequivocally that they have inflicted more harm than good on the Nigerian populace. The Archbishop’s comments come at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with the repercussions of these policies, which have led to widespread economic hardship.
Ugorji emphasized the unsustainable cost of running Nigeria’s military-imposed presidential system, which he described as burdened with an overwhelming number of elected officials and their support staff. “When all is said and done, we must admit that the cost of running our military-imposed presidential system of government with so many elected officials assisted by numerous support staff is staggering and unsustainable,” he declared.
The Archbishop also took aim at the pervasive corruption within the political class, noting that the centralization of national resources at the federal level has only exacerbated the problem. He argued that this centralization creates fertile ground for corruption to flourish unchecked, further undermining the nation’s socio-economic fabric.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s governance structure, Archbishop Ugorji suggested that it might be time to reconsider the current presidential system. “Having experimented on the presidential system of government for over 25 years and having groped in the dark in search of solutions to our socio-economic problems, now seems to be the opportune time to heed the advice of some of our best minds canvassing for our return to the former regional system of government as envisaged by the founding fathers of our nation or devolve power to the present six geo-political zones,” he said.
While the Archbishop acknowledged the accomplishments listed by President Tinubu in his August 4th speech, he did not shy away from admitting that the nation’s current state remains deeply troubling. Among the pressing issues he cited was the increasing debt burden, including a $2.25 billion loan facility secured from the World Bank in June 2024, which comes with a daunting 40-year repayment period.
As the CBCN plenary assembly continues, it is clear that the bishops are taking a firm stance on the need for a re-evaluation of Nigeria’s economic and governance frameworks. Archbishop Ugorji’s address serves as a clarion call to the Tinubu administration, urging it to listen to the growing discontent among Nigerians and take decisive action to steer the nation toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
