Prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), and various civil society organizations (CSOs) criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national broadcast, asserting it failed to address the fundamental issues that triggered the #EndBadGovernance protest. The protests, which began on Thursday, have resulted in multiple deaths and the destruction of property worth billions of naira.
Calls from various quarters urged President Tinubu to address the nation to mitigate the concerns raised by protesters and citizens, particularly regarding the cost of living crisis. Responding to these calls, President Tinubu made a broadcast in which he justified the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, citing these as necessary reforms for Nigeria’s growth. He also outlined interventions his government had implemented to alleviate the effects of these policies, promising future benefits for Nigerians.
However, the president’s speech was met with disappointment. Leaders and observers deemed it “uninspiring,” with protesters arguing it showed a disconnect from the country’s realities. Critics pointed out the speech’s lack of substantial policy statements on fuel subsidy and the naira’s value, and its omission of the critical issue of insecurity, especially in northern Nigeria, where millions of farmers have been displaced due to banditry and kidnappings.
In his reaction, Wole Soyinka expressed concern over the president’s omission of the shooting and killing of protesters demanding good governance, condemning the use of live bullets and teargas by security agents. He stated, “The state cannot serve bullets where bread is pleaded,” highlighting the government’s failure to address civic protests appropriately.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Tinubu’s speech as hollow, noting it failed to address the pressing economic hardships besieging Nigerian families. Atiku criticized the lack of groundbreaking reforms and the president’s disregard for the protesters’ demands, such as suspending aircraft purchases and downsizing his cabinet.
Femi Falana (SAN) urged the president to address the protesters’ demands and condemned the repression of peaceful protesters. He called for the release of detained protesters and for the establishment of inquiry commissions to investigate the killings by security forces.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) expressed grave concern over the president’s failure to address the severe security situation in the North West and other parts of the northern region. They emphasized the urgent need for concrete steps to alleviate the security challenges faced by these communities.
The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, criticized the president for sticking to anti-masses policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira. They argued that the president’s speech did not address the root causes of hunger and insecurity in the country.
Overall, the president’s speech was seen as a missed opportunity to placate Nigerians and address the critical issues fueling the protests. The various reactions highlighted the need for a more comprehensive and responsive approach to governance.
(DailyTrust)