Catholic church urges Nigerians to stockpile foods, others

Catholic church urges Nigerians to stockpile foods, others

The Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja expressed fears of
possible outbreak of violence in the forthcoming general elections with a call on
citizens in volatile places to stockpile foods and other essential commodities “in
case shops are not opened for some days.”
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has said it will deploy 4,889 observers in 23 states
of the country, who will “stay back to observe the elections till the end.”
The CCFN, an organ of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, also advised
churches and mosques to set aside some funds to deal with possible
humanitarian crises that might arise after the polls.
The Executive Secretary of CCFN and National Secretary of Justice Development
and Peace Committee, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Bassey, who said this during a press
briefing, advised Nigerians to be prepared to mitigate the impact of possible
outbreak of violence during the elections.
The CCFN is the relief and development agency of the CBCN while JDPC at the
national level is the advocacy organ of CBCN.
The cleric said, “In the case of a possible outbreak of violence, we advise that
citizens in volatile places should stock essential commodities in case shops are
not open for days. Citizens should, by now, make arrangements for safe havens in
case they have to escape from their homes; and those who can, should move
their families from volatile areas, as the right to life is stronger than the right to
vote.
“Citizens should not rely on the assurances of security agencies alone, as the
scale of violence, if it happens, may overwhelm their capacity, and therefore must
be extra-vigilant.
“After voting, although they could stay back to observe the counting, we advise
ordinary citizens in volatile places to go home and allow politicians to sort
themselves out.
“The Catholic Church is deploying 4,889 observers in 23 states; these observers
will also stay back to observe to the end.”
Bassey recalled the several forms of humanitarian crises already brewing in
Nigeria, including the silent Sahel food crisis affecting the food and nutrition
needs of Sokoto, Kebbi and Yobe states and the post-flood humanitarian crisis,
“with many still to recover their livelihoods even after billions of Naira were
collected.”
“There is the potential Niger-Delta crisis which could erupt anytime. There is the
mother of all humanitarian crises caused by Boko Haram, which has led to the
greatest displacements and miseries since the civil war.
“On top of all these are the potential dangers and humanitarian emergencies that
may arise because of the already charged presidential elections,” he warned.

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