Shekarau: #EndBadGovernance Protest Sends a Strong Message to Tinubu’s Administration”

Former Governor Shekarau highlights the #EndBadGovernance protest as a wake-up call for Tinubu’s government to address pressing governance issues and deliver meaningful reforms.

Ibrahim Shekarau, the former Governor of Kano State, has urged the Federal Government to reassess and refine its strategies for governing the populace.

Shekarau, appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics show, stated that the recent #EndBadGovernance protest sent a clear message to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“The recent protests against poor governance sent a powerful message. This was not confined to any region or state; it resonated as a national issue. In my view, it’s an unmistakable signal directed at the President and the Federal Government.”

Shekarau mentioned that Nigerians are urging, “please return to the drawing board and rethink what you are offering us.”

Nigerians started a 10-day protest against bad governance from August 1st to the 10th, under the hashtag #EndBadGovernance. The demonstrations called for economic and political reforms, urging the government to reverse certain policies. Measures such as removing petrol subsidies and allowing the naira to float have triggered Nigeria’s most severe cost-of-living crisis in decades, causing prices of goods and services to more than double.

The protests started off peacefully but eventually became violent in certain states, including Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto, resulting in fatalities and property damage.

Polls for 2027

He also commented on expectations for the 2027 general elections, stating that emphasis should not be placed on the region of origin of the next president.

Shekarau suggested that Nigerians prioritize good governance and urged political parties to nominate candidates with credibility.

The former governor did not clarify whether he supports a presidency from the southern region or the rotation of power to the northern area.

All parties should develop their strategies to make the best choices. However, for Nigerians making a decision now, our focus should be on evaluating the candidates presented by these parties.

“Our challenge is to ensure that all parties present the right candidates for Nigerians, allowing us to select from the best. However, if only inadequate options are offered, we will have no choice but to choose the least problematic,” he stated.