Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has thrown its weight behind Cardinal Onaiyekan’s and the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), warning that Nigeria’s worsening poverty and persistent insecurity are eroding economic productivity, undermining livelihoods and threatening national stability.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the forum condemned what it described as unwarranted attacks on Cardinal Onaiyekan following his comments that President Bola Tinubu may not be receiving accurate information about the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
The statement followed the July 24 meeting between the CBCN and President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during which the Catholic bishops reportedly expressed concern that the administration’s economic reforms had deepened poverty, increased hardship and failed to substantially improve security across the country. The President, however, maintained that his reforms were producing positive results.
The MBF said Cardinal Onaiyekan’s subsequent remarks on national television reflected the realities confronting millions of Nigerians and should not be interpreted as partisan political commentary.
According to the forum, the cleric spoke as a patriotic religious leader committed to justice, peace and the welfare of citizens rather than as a politician or opposition figure.
The organisation argued that communities across the Middle Belt continue to bear the brunt of insecurity, alleging that years of attacks by armed groups have left thousands dead, displaced millions of residents and destroyed farms, schools, churches and entire communities across Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Niger, Borno and other affected areas.
It said the humanitarian and economic consequences have been severe, with many farmers unable to cultivate their land, businesses disrupted, children forced out of school and displaced families relying on humanitarian assistance for survival.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of the Nigerian military and other security agencies, the MBF maintained that insecurity continues to prevent citizens from farming, travelling safely and engaging in legitimate economic activities.
The forum also questioned the real impact of the Federal Government’s economic reforms, arguing that although the national minimum wage had risen from N30,000 to N70,000, its purchasing power had been significantly weakened by inflation, exchange-rate depreciation and rising costs of fuel, transportation, food, electricity, healthcare and education.
According to the statement, the depreciation of the naira and sustained increases in the prices of essential goods and services have reduced the real value of workers’ incomes, leaving many households worse off despite higher nominal wages.
The MBF urged President Tinubu to embrace constructive criticism rather than allow supporters to attack individuals raising concerns about the country’s socio-economic conditions.
It called on the President to undertake an independent assessment of the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians, particularly victims of terrorism and violent attacks, saying direct engagement with displaced persons, farmers, market women, unemployed youths and community leaders would provide a clearer understanding of prevailing realities.
Reaffirming its support for the CBCN and Cardinal Onaiyekan, the forum said speaking out against poverty, insecurity and human suffering is a constitutional right, a moral obligation and a patriotic duty, urging government to treat such interventions as contributions toward national development rather than political opposition.
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