Tinubu’s policies worsened hardship – Edo, Adamawa Governors
The governors of Edo and Adamawa states have criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki attributed the protests to federal government policies that have caused hardship for Nigerians. Obaseki stated, “The protest is obviously the result of the difficult living conditions which Nigerians have had to endure particularly over the last year, arising from various policies that have been implemented by the Federal Government.
“These policies have taken a severe toll on citizens who have had to endure astronomical food prices, high transportation costs, galloping inflation, and loss of operating capital by small business owners across the country.
“In Edo State, we have taken several actions within our constitutional authority to reduce the suffering and hardship of our people by showing empathy and supporting our people to weather and survive this trying time despite the challenges witnessed across the nation.”
Protests continued on Sunday in Edo State at Agho Junction on Ekehuan Road, where the protesters held a church service, sang, and danced while praising God and calling for an end to bad governance. The protesters barricaded the road during the church service, restricting vehicular movements. Soldiers in convoy patrolled the major roads in the state with a view to clear any barricades placed.
In a related development, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri criticized Tinubu for his Sunday speech, which he said was insufficient. In a statewide broadcast on Sunday afternoon, Fintiri emphasized that it is not enough for the President to tell Nigerians that he has heard their cries. According to him, Nigerians should not wait endlessly for necessary actions.
The governor, while speaking about the #EndBadGovernance protest in Adamawa State, commended residents for conducting themselves peacefully but stressed the need for the Federal Government to heed the calls of the people. He said, “The protest might be unpopular especially because of the way it was carried out in some states, but the message is clear and the demands are genuine. None of us can deny that there is hunger and general poverty.”
He added that as leaders of the people, those in government must, at all times, not only listen but also act. “The lesson we must derive from the protest is the constant reminder that it is not enough to tell the citizens we have heard. We must be seen as doing the needful in providing solutions to citizens’ concerns,” the governor said.
On Sunday, President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation on the #EndBadGovernance protests, but many have criticized him for failing to address key concerns that led to the protests, including the removal of fuel subsidy, naira devaluation, and food inflation.
