Archbishop Princewill Ariwodor, World President of the International College and Council of Bishops and Apostles (ICCOBA) based in Dublin, has called for President Bola Tinubu to step down if he cannot improve Nigeria’s worsening economic situation. In an interview with Vanguard amid the nationwide protests against economic hardship and poor governance, Ariwodor voiced his deep concern over the state of the nation’s economy.
Ariwodor criticized Tinubu for accepting the role of leadership without a plan to tackle the country’s pressing issues, especially the hardships he attributes to “anti-people policies.” He remarked, “We’ve never seen such economic decline. Previous leaders managed better. Tinubu should resign if he can’t fix the economy, which was in better shape before he took office.”
The Archbishop also condemned any attempts by the government to suppress peaceful protests, calling such actions an attack on democracy. He stressed that Nigerians have the right to protest peacefully, despite the current administration’s attempts to quell dissent.
“Nigerians are suffering and have the right to voice their concerns peacefully. Why use force against non-violent protesters? The government should not silence people who are expressing their frustrations,” he said.
Ariwodor also defended Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, against any potential arrest for criticizing the Tinubu administration. He declared his support for Obi and other critics of the government, warning that any attempt to silence Obi would face strong resistance.
“We support Obi and will stand by him against any attempt to silence him. If anyone tries to arrest him, we’ll mobilize to Abuja to protest. Anyone who touches him for speaking out should be prepared for serious consequences,” Ariwodor warned.
He further criticized those advising against the protests, accusing them of misleading the President for personal gain. He urged protesters to stay peaceful and lawful while voicing their concerns.
The ongoing protests, named ‘10 Days of Rage’ and tagged with the hashtag #EndBadGovernance, have seen widespread participation across Nigeria, reflecting the growing frustration with the current administration’s handling of economic issues.
