Stakeholders Criticize Tinubu’s Speech as Protests Intensify

Stakeholders criticize Tinubu’s speech, while protest organizers continue to intensify the EndBadGovernance demonstrations.

President Bola Tinubu has been criticized by stakeholders for neglecting to tackle the crucial requests of EndBadGovernance demonstrators in his national address on Sunday.

On Sunday, Tinubu interfered in the problems arising from the current protests throughout Nigeria against poverty and exorbitant living expenses.

According to Obasanjonews.com, Nigerian youths are currently protesting in various regions of the country due to their discontent with the unfavorable economic circumstances and seeking remedies for their challenges.

The intention of the ten-day-long action, which began on August 1st, is to highlight the suffering that citizens are facing and bring it to the government’s attention.

Scores of unsuspecting citizens were killed and an unspecified number of people critically injured during the bloody protests in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe Bauchi, FCT (Federal Capital Territory), Niger and Jigawa.

While various state reports indicated that roughly 19 individuals lost their lives on the inaugural day of protests, Amnesty International contended that only 13 casualties occurred.

Some states witnessed hoodlums indulging in acts of vandalism and looting against properties owned by both private individuals as well as the government.

Read Also: Tinubu’s Speech Fails to Address Protester Crackdown – Soyinka

President Tinubu spoke to Nigerians on Sunday, urging them to engage in dialogue instead of exacerbating the country’s law and order issues. The objective was to alleviate additional disintegration.

During his speech, Tinubu expressed sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and urged protesters to halt their actions.

Tinubu elaborated on the government’s efforts to tackle hunger by stating that a staggering N570bn has been distributed to states for financial assistance.

In addition, the president highlighted that there has been a positive impact on 600,000 nano businesses due to the provision of nano grants. Furthermore, he projected that another 400,000 enterprises would also enjoy these benefits.

Despite refusing to reinstate fuel subsidy, the president acknowledged that the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project aims to decrease transportation expenses by 60%. He reassured citizens that one million conversion kits would be given out either free of charge or at a minimal cost.

Key demands were not addressed by Tinubu.

According to Obasanjonews.com, the protest organizers demanded that the Nigerian government abolish the Senate branch of its legislative system and maintain only the House of Representatives. They also proposed making lawmaking a part-time activity.

Ensure that Nigerian workers receive a minimum monthly wage of N250,000 or above.

“Demilitarize the South East and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. Additionally, all EndSARS protesters and political detainees should be freed and given compensation.”

Put an end to banditry, terrorism, and violent crimes while simultaneously reforming security agencies in order to prevent ongoing human rights violations.

The Nigerian judiciary is undergoing significant reforms aimed at removing the corrupt cabals of judges and judicial officers who have been impeding citizens’ access to genuine justice for generations.

Voting by members of the diaspora.

Investigate previous and current Nigerian officials who have plundered the national treasury, retrieve their stolen funds, and place them in a distinctive fund designated for supporting education, healthcare services as well as infrastructure.

President Tinubu’s speech, as per stakeholders who spoke to Obasanjonews.com on Sunday, did not fulfill the demands.

Area youths anticipate that Tinubu will tackle the problems of insecurity in the North and decrease government expenditures.

Yerima Shettima, the President General of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), stated to Obasanjonews.com on Sunday that Tinubu did not effectively handle the security situation in Northern Nigeria.

Shettima conveyed his discontent with the president for disregarding the plea to reduce government expenses in Nigeria.

“Everywhere, there is a cry that Nigerians had higher expectations from the president,” he stated.

From my perspective, there are two aspects to consider in the North. One notable point that has not been addressed is how he would approach and address the unique challenges faced by Northerners.

The problem we are facing is the matter of insecurity, particularly in the northern region. I strongly recommend him to impose a state of emergency on this issue for immediate action.

By referring to at least five North states, such as Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara and Borno with an option for Katsina State inclusion would make his point clear. It is imperative that a state of emergency be declared in order to demonstrate the seriousness attached to this matter. By implementing such measures along with making sure security chiefs are actively involved can help resolves these issues effectively.

The president was expected to provide lasting solutions to the problems and we gave them a few months, but it seems that they have not done enough.

Despite his allegiance to the president, Shettima supported the government’s stance on fuel subsidy by claiming that it is unrealistic for even individuals like Tinubu to reinstate a subsidy that has been causing distress among people both domestically and internationally.

“Based on our analysis, Nigerians were expected to pay over N1000 per liter. However, the president extended government subsidies without notifying many citizens.”

The responsibility for the current economic situation was placed on the previous administration, headed by former president Muhammadu Buhari, by Shettima.

He stated that the previous administration is responsible for this predicament. They went to great lengths and obtained an excessive amount of funds which they cannot even justify.

“I am astonished that none of the ministers who wasted our money have been held accountable,” he said.

In my view, Tinubu has conveyed a message. I am aware that there are specific policies in place which may not currently be yielding positive results but with time and patience, these initiatives will eventually come to fruition.

The heat is palpable, but we must exercise patience and not rush. The citizenry is experiencing hardship whilst the government remains bloated in size. Tinubu has neglected demands to reduce governance expenditure.

According to a spokesman for Peter Obi, Tinubu’s speech lacks practical solutions and only includes grammatical expressions.

According to Yunusa Tanko, spokesperson for Mr. Peter Obi – the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate in the previous election- President Tinubu neglected to tackle concerns brought up by irate Nigerian youths as reported on Obasanjonews.com.

Tanko criticized Tinubu’s inability to offer the Nigerian populace effective remedies for the ongoing economic distress afflicting their country.

According to him, President Tinubu has not adequately tackled the concerns presented by those demonstrating. It is imperative that he answers all of the requests outlined in the leaflets.

An instance is the concern of reducing the price of petroleum, lowering it from N850 to a minimum of N200.

Every aspect of the economy across the country is being affected by this major thing.

Either he discusses methods to reduce commodity prices to feasible levels or he should have presented tangible examples on ways to safeguard lives and properties.

“He should have addressed the improvement of agricultural production, particularly in northern Nigeria where there is vast land available and heightened protest activity.”

There is a desire for him to communicate plans such as “we are providing tractors, fertilizers, seedlings and other necessities so that individuals can resume farming”. These tangible examples are essential in demonstrating real efforts towards alleviating the problem rather than empty rhetoric. In all honesty, I don’t believe he has adequately addressed these concerns thus far.

Dele Momodu expressed his surprise at Tinubu’s broadcast with the hashtag #EndBadGovernance.

Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, criticized the president’s broadcast speech and was taken aback by its content.

Momodu posted on his X handle shortly after the speech, stating that the president had utterly neglected to acknowledge the protesters’ requests.

Organizers of the EndBadGovernance protests have vowed to continue their exercise across the country, despite appeals by President Tinubu and concerns raised by security agencies.

During a conversation with Obasanjonews.com on Sunday, Omoleye Sowore, the presidential hopeful for the African Action Congress in the 2023 election revealed that there will be an ongoing protest tomorrow.

Sowore expressed dissatisfaction with the broadcast of President Tinubu and warned that if the protestors’ demands were not met within ten days, they would continue indefinitely.

Sowore was asked about the duration of the protest, to which he replied that it would end in 10 days. However, if there is no compliance with the charter of demands raised by protesters, then it will persist beyond that timeline.

The Nigerian military has announced its intention to intervene in the event that violence intensifies in certain states during the current nationwide protest.

During a press conference held in Abuja, Gen. Christopher Musa (The Chief of Defence Staff) stated that the military would intervene to quell the looting and violence taking place in certain areas within the country.

The CDS acknowledged the protesters’ concerns about the difficult economic situation in the country, but emphasized that they should demonstrate comprehension.

During these difficult times, he urged Nigerians to come together and warned against the destruction of property through looting or vandalism.

The destruction of valuables during the nationwide protests was condemned as “crazy” by the defence chief.