President Bola Tinubu has faced backlash from stakeholders for not addressing the core demands of the EndBadGovernance protesters in his recent nationwide address.
Tinubu made remarks regarding the ongoing nationwide protests against the prevailing economic challenges faced by Nigerian youths.
Nigerian youths have taken to the streets nationwide since August 1 to draw attention to the hardships being experienced by citizens.
The protests, set to last for ten days, aim to highlight the struggles faced by the people and urge the government to take action.
Unfortunately, the demonstrations in various states including Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, and others have turned violent, resulting in casualties and property damage.
While official reports indicated around 19 fatalities on the first day of the protests, Amnesty International reported 13 casualties.
In addition to the loss of lives, there were incidents of vandalism and looting in some regions.
In an attempt to restore order, President Tinubu addressed the nation on Sunday, calling for dialogue and urging the protesters to halt their activities.
He mentioned government initiatives such as releasing funds to support livelihoods and providing grants to small businesses, among other measures.
One of the main grievances of the protesters, as reported by NewsNow, involved demands like the restructuring of the legislative system, higher minimum wage, release of detainees, and security reforms.
Despite Tinubu’s speech, stakeholders felt that he failed to adequately address these pressing issues.
Some have criticized the president for neglecting to tackle the insecurity in the Northern region and the need to reduce the cost of governance.
One stakeholder, Yerima Shettima from the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, expressed disappointment in Tinubu’s response to the crisis.
Shettima emphasized the urgency of addressing insecurity and cutting government expenses, especially in the troubled Northern states.
Although he supported Tinubu’s stance on the fuel subsidy issue, attributing it to global challenges, Shettima blamed the previous administration for the current economic difficulties.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi’s spokesman, Yunusa Tanko, criticized Tinubu for not providing actionable solutions to the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
Tanko highlighted the importance of addressing issues like fuel prices, agricultural production, and security measures effectively to alleviate the nation’s challenges.
Notably, Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, also expressed disappointment with Tinubu’s broadcast, indicating a growing discontent with the government’s response to the protests.
President Bola Tinubu’s recent speech left the public feeling shocked, with many expressing disappointment at his failure to address the protesters’ demands. Renowned figure Momodu took to his X handle to share his thoughts, criticizing Tinubu for not making any concessions to the aggrieved Nigerians. Momodu questioned whether Tinubu, who has maintained a stronghold on Lagos State for 25 years, would deviate from his successful strategy. He highlighted the influence of Tinubu’s loyal advisors from Lagos, suggesting that they would not challenge his decisions.
On the other hand, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, stated that the organization is currently analyzing Tinubu’s speech before releasing a formal statement to the public.
Despite appeals from President Tinubu and concerns raised by security agencies, the organizers of the EndBadGovernance protests remain determined to continue their demonstrations nationwide. Omoleye Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, expressed dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s address and vowed to persist with the protests. He warned that if the protesters’ demands were not met within ten days, the demonstrations could extend indefinitely.
In response to the escalating violence in some states during the ongoing protests, the Nigerian military announced its readiness to intervene. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, emphasized the military’s role in controlling the looting and violence that have marred certain regions. While acknowledging the economic challenges faced by Nigerians, he urged protestors to exhibit understanding and unity during these turbulent times. Gen. Musa condemned the destruction of property during the nationwide protests, labeling it as “crazy.”