Prominent citizens, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), and several civil society organizations (CSOs), have criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national broadcast, saying it failed to address the fundamental issues that triggered the #EndBadGovernance protest.
The protests, which began on Thursday, have resulted in loss of life and destruction of properties worth billions of naira. President Tinubu’s speech did not address the protesters’ demands, including the cost of living crisis, fuel subsidy removal, and insecurity, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Leaders of thought and protesters described the president’s speech as “uninspiring” and said he showed no signs of being in touch with the country’s reality.
They criticized the omission of key issues, such as insecurity, and the use of live bullets and teargas against protesters.
Soyinka stated, “You can’t serve bullets where bread is pleaded.” Atiku Abubakar described the speech as “hollow” and lacking in credibility. Falana called for the president to address the protesters’ demands and condemned the repression of peaceful protests.
The Northern Elders Forum expressed concern over the president’s failure to mention the severe security situation in the North West and other parts of the northern region.
Afenifere said the president has not addressed the real issues of the protest and is sticking to anti-masses policies.
