Church urges citizens to ensure gov’t accounts for their actions and decisions
By Bridget Ikyado
The Chairman, Catholics in Politics and Business, Prof Pat Utomi, has called on all citizens to actively inform themselves about political issues and responsibly hold government officials accountable for their actions and decisions through legitimate means.
In a statment by Prof. Pat Utomi, KSG,
Chairman, Catholics in Politics & Business and Sir Peter Ikponmwosa Agbontaen, KSJI, Founder, Catholic Action Nigeria.
According to them when it comes to economic policies such as price increases or subsidy removal, the Catholic Social Teaching principle of the preferential option for the poor calls for a careful examination of the potential impact on the most vulnerable members of the society.
“It emphasizes the need to ensure that economic decisions do not disproportionately burden the poor or exacerbate existing inequalities”.
The Catholic Church teaches that it is the responsibility of the government to find ways to address economic challenges while safeguarding the dignity and well-being of all individuals, particularly the poor and marginalized.
“Such an approach requires careful consideration of the social and economic impact of policy decisions, including those related to pricing and subsidies”.
The Catholics in Politics & Business Forum and the Catholic Action Nigeria jointly alert that the current situation in Nigeria underscores the principle that no government should govern in a manner that exacerbates the hardships faced by the poor.
“The church also advices governments at all levels to recognise and uphold the inherent dignity of all citizens and reassess their policies, and promote greater social justice and well-being for all,
” The outrageous allocation granted to the National Assembly and the purchase of luxury cars by executive branch, which should be suspended immediately, are more than sufficient to alleviate the hardships faced by our most vulnerable citizens”.