EndBadGovernance: Stakeholders Criticize Tinubu’s Speech as Protests Intensify

Stakeholders have criticized President Bola Tinubu for failing to address the key demands of the EndBadGovernance protesters during his nationwide broadcast on Sunday.

In his address, Tinubu acknowledged the ongoing protests against hunger and the high cost of living in Nigeria, which began on August 1 and are expected to last for ten days. These protests, led by Nigerian youths frustrated with the country’s economic conditions, aim to draw the government’s attention to the hardships faced by citizens.

The demonstrations in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT, Niger, and Jigawa turned violent, resulting in the deaths of several unsuspecting citizens and injuries to many others. Amnesty International reported that at least 13 people were killed on the first day of protests, although other reports suggested the death toll could be higher. Additionally, properties belonging to both the government and private individuals were vandalized and looted in some areas.

In response, President Tinubu addressed the nation, urging the protesters to embrace dialogue and expressing condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He outlined steps the government has taken to address the hunger crisis, including the release of N570 billion to states for livelihood support and assistance to 600,000 nano businesses, with plans to support an additional 400,000 businesses.

However, Tinubu firmly rejected calls to reinstate the fuel subsidy and instead promoted the Compress Natural Gas (CNG) initiative to reduce transport costs by 60%. He assured that one million conversion kits would be distributed at little or no cost.

Despite these measures, stakeholders argued that Tinubu failed to address the core demands of the protesters. These demands included abolishing the Senate, implementing a minimum wage of at least N250,000 per month, releasing Nnamdi Kanu and other political detainees, ending insecurity and violent crimes, reforming the judiciary, enabling diaspora voting, and investigating and recovering looted funds by past and present leaders.

Yerima Shettima, President General of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), expressed disappointment that Tinubu did not address the security crisis in the North or the call to reduce the cost of governance. Shettima suggested that a state of emergency should be declared in certain northern states to tackle insecurity.

Yunusa Tanko, spokesperson for Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, criticized Tinubu’s speech as lacking actionable solutions to the economic hardship. Tanko argued that the president should have addressed issues like reducing the price of petroleum and securing lives and properties with practical examples.

Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, expressed his shock at the president’s speech, stating that Tinubu failed to address the protesters’ demands and suggesting that the president’s advisors might not be challenging him adequately.

Despite Tinubu’s appeal for dialogue, the organizers of the EndBadGovernance protests, including Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, have vowed to continue the demonstrations if their demands are not met. The protests could extend beyond the planned ten days if the government fails to respond to their charter of demands.

In response to the violence, the Nigerian military has indicated that it may intervene if the situation escalates. Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa urged Nigerians to remain united and avoid looting and vandalism during these challenging times, describing the destruction of property as “crazy.”