President Bola Tinubu has been urged by Prof. Udenta Udenta, a former National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy, to shake up his cabinet, according to a press statement obtained on Thursday.
Addressing the recent nationwide end-hunger protest and the state of the nation, Udenta emphasized that President Tinubu’s current governance approach is unsustainable.
He emphasized that without addressing issues like hunger, poverty, high food prices, inflation, naira devaluation, and unaffordable petroleum products, the country could witness more hunger protests in the near future.
NewsNow reports that the nationwide “End Hunger” and “End Bad Governance” protests took place in various states including Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja, Kano, Osun, and Oyo between August 1 and 10, 2024.
Reports mentioned over a thousand arrests and a disputed death toll of seven by the police, while civil society organizations argued that the actual number of casualties was higher.
On August 4, Tinubu acknowledged the protesters’ concerns and urged them to end the demonstrations.
The protesters persisted until August 10, demanding actions such as reversing fuel subsidy removal, lowering food prices, constitutional review, and reducing electricity costs.
Udenta views the protests as a response to the prevailing hardships.
He recommended an urgent cabinet reconstitution for President Tinubu, suggesting the inclusion of opposition and civic group elements for rebuilding trust and achieving consensus on economic policies.
Udenta stated, “Continuing to govern in the same manner is not in the best interest of President Tinubu and the Nigerian populace.”
He emphasized the need for a collaborative governance approach involving diverse political players for national stability and progress.
Udenta proposed convening a meeting with prominent politicians, including opponents from the 2023 presidential election, and reestablishing key advisory positions for effective inter-party relations.
He suggested inviting various renowned figures known for their integrity and commitment to speaking truth to power.