Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called for a return to a regional system of government to address corruption and national challenges.
Gatekeepers News reports that Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of the CBCN and Archbishop of Owerri, made this appeal during his welcome address at the 2024 Second Plenary Assembly in Auchi, Edo State.
Archbishop Ugorji emphasised that Nigeria’s problems extend beyond economic reforms, stating, “The socio-economic problems of our nation are unmistakably beyond what economic reforms alone can effectively resolve.” He criticized the current presidential system as costly and unsustainable, citing high levels of corruption among politicians and the centralization of national resources at the federal level.
The CBCN president suggested a return to the regional system envisioned by Nigeria’s founding fathers or devolving power to the six geo-political zones. This proposal comes after 25 years of the current presidential system, which Ugorji believes has failed to address the country’s socio-economic challenges effectively.
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s recent efforts, Ugorji expressed concern over the nation’s current state.
He highlighted several issues, including:
1. Increased debt burden, with a recent $2.25 billion World Bank loan
2. Multiple taxation
3. Hunger and hardship exacerbated by insecurity
The Archbishop urged President Tinubu to reconsider his economic policies, noting widespread discontent among Nigerians. He called for urgent action to prevent these issues from escalating into a major crisis.
