…’Audio achievements’ have no place in our country – Protesters blow hot
…Your broadcast disappointing, uninspiring – S’West PDP tells Tinubu
…Protests to resume Oct 1 if demands unmet – Lawyer
By Sodiq Adelakun & Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The #EndBad Governance protesters are showing no signs of fatigue, as they march into the fifth day of their demonstration with even greater determination and ‘renewed vigour.’
Despite pleas from the federal government to stand down, the defiant protesters are digging in their heels, refusing to back down until their demands for good governance and economic reforms are met.
President Bola Tinubu’s live broadcast on Sunday, August 4, addressing the #EndBadGovernance protest, has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some have expressed support and patience, others have criticised the president for allegedly failing to address fundamental issues.
Some Nigerians have praised Tinubu’s acknowledgement of their grievances and his administration’s plans to address them.
Former presidential aide Reno Omokri expressed support for the removal of fuel subsidy, a policy that was part of the Peoples Democratic Party’s manifesto.
Others, like Pst Okezie, have urged patience and understanding, believing that the president has the interest of Nigerians at heart.
On the other hand, many have criticised Tinubu’s speech for not addressing the pressing issues of hunger and unpaid stipends. Some have argued that the president’s policies have further put pressure on the economy and eroded people’s disposable income.
Some residents of Osun State under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, on Sunday vowed to continue their ten-day #EndBadGovernance protest, saying President Bola Tinubu failed to address their demands during his nationwide broadcast.
The protesters, while continuing to press for their demands to be met, held Sunday service under the popular Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo state capital.
Speaking at the protest, Comrade Emmanuel Olowu said that President Tinubu failed to address the demands of the protesters during his nationwide address in the morning.
Olowu called on the Federal Government to immediately set up a genuine dialogue committee that will be chaired by state governors across the country to end bad governance.
According to him, “It should be understood that the president had said nothing because he failed to make a policy statement on any of the demands of the protesters.
“The president also requested dialogue, but it should be known that he didn’t lay the foundation of the expected dialogue.
“The president has only expressed his effort since May 29, 2023, till date and he further indicts the state governors by informing Nigerians that the state government has received more federal allocation now than before.
“It is therefore important that the federal government should immediately set up the dialogue committee with a clear mandate and the dialogue committee be headed by the governor of each state.
“While the federal government should immediately make a policy statement on at least three of the demands of the End Bad Governance protest in Nigeria,” he said.
The #EndBadGovernance protest, which has entered its fifth day, has seen Nigerians from all walks of life demanding an end to bad governance and better living conditions.
While some have called for an end to the protests, others have demanded more concrete actions from the government to address their grievances.
Also, in diverse reactions on X (formerly Twitter), to the President’s broadcast, Nigerians have shared their thoughts on President Tinubu’s address to the nation, with some expressing disappointment and others criticising his response to the ongoing protests.
Opeyemi Opeoluwa @AnonXNG said, “Let us channel our grievances to the individual state governments. They need to be held responsible for an expenditure of N570 billion that was meant to ameliorate the livelihood of citizens. Please let us be constructive in our approach !!!”
OfficialMojimorire @MojimorireJrOff said, “Nigerians Abeg I use God Almaty beg you, no pity Tinubu on top this protest and hardship “Na him go bring Buhari wey crumble this our economy ooo” now he won Dey use Buhari’s administration as an excuse..!”
@Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar wrote “When GEJ removed fuel subsidy in 2012 and fuel price hiked to N147 per litre, Nigerians including Tinubu protested, GEJ listened to them and reversed the price of fuel to N87 per litre.”
Omon (@ojoteosas) believes that “the sight of Russian flags displayed by northern youths prompted President Tinubu’s unplanned national broadcast.”
Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) criticised President Tinubu’s speech, calling it “a pack of empty words” and stating that it showed a lack of connection with the reality of everyday Nigerians.
Oseni Rufai (@OseniRufai) questioned President Tinubu’s ability to cultivate 10 million hectares of land, given his “failure to achieve a much smaller target last year.”
Juwon SanyaOlu (@JuwonSanyaOlu) expressed disappointment that President Tinubu did not address the demands of the protesters and instead “danced on the graves” of those who have lost their lives during the protests.
…Your broadcast disappointing, uninspiring – S’West PDP tells Tinubu
Meanwhile, in response to the President’s broadcast Sunday morning, the South-West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the broadcast on the ongoing nationwide protest as ‘disappointing’ and ‘uninspiring,’ saying it failed to address the concerns of the protesting youths on hunger and rising inflation in the country.
“The grievances of the protesters stem from a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the current state of governance, lack of accountability, and failure to address the basic needs of the citizens,” the PDP said in a statement.
“By focusing solely on economic growth and development, the President is missing the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and address the underlying grievances of the people.”
The party urged President Tinubu to listen to the voices of the Nigerian people, engage in genuine dialogue, and take concrete steps to address the grievances that have led to the protests.
“Using force and intimidation will only exacerbate tensions and further erode trust between the government and the citizens,” the party warned.
…Protests to resume Oct 1 if demands unmet – Lawyer
A legal practitioner, JP, has stated that the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests will resume on October 1 if President Bola Tinubu fails to address the demands of the protesters.
JP made this statement while speaking to journalists at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Lagos.
“The president has spoken and we should listen to the president first and see what action the president is going to take. If the president says he is going to reduce the fuel pump price, he will tell us. If he says the price of foodstuffs will reduce, he will tell us; but not us trying to,” JP said.
JP also warned that he would sue any police officer who molests him. This comes after President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address on Sunday, calling for dialogue and an immediate end to the nationwide protests that have rocked the nation since Thursday.