Presidential Address: Protest Organizers Say Tinubu is Out of Touch with Reality

The organizers of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have expressed their disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s recent nationwide address, accusing him of being out of touch with the realities faced by Nigerians.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Michael Lenin, the National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign, criticized the President for justifying state violence against protesters and journalists while dismissing their demands.

Lenin stated, “We are deeply saddened and disappointed by President Tinubu’s address, his first since the protests began over three weeks ago. Instead of addressing the concerns of the protesters, the President justified state violence and dismissed our demands. This, along with his failed attempt to adopt the language of the protests, shows how disconnected he is from the masses.”

Emiola Osifeso of the Take It Back Movement also criticized the President’s claim that the protests are politically motivated, calling it a “gross misrepresentation” of the situation. He argued that the protests are a lawful response to the government’s failure to address the hardship experienced by Nigerians.

Osifeso said, “The protests are not driven by a political agenda but are a response to the government’s inability to address systemic issues like poverty, inequality, corruption, and human rights abuses. These protests are a reflection of the people’s frustration after 14 months of suffering.”

Omole Ibukun, the Initiator of Creative Change Centre, described the President’s broadcast as filled with “empty promises and vague assurances.” He criticized the President for focusing on abstract economic achievements that do not reflect the actual conditions in the country.

Ibukun said, “The President’s emphasis on economic growth and infrastructure development ignores the fact that these benefits have not reached the masses. His call for dialogue is hollow, given that he has consistently ignored and suppressed the demands of the protesters.”

Lenin concluded by calling for continued protests, urging citizens to come out in large numbers on Monday to demand change. He emphasized that the struggle for a better Nigeria must continue until the government meets their demands.

“We call on Nigerians to come out in large numbers on Monday and continue these protests. The government’s attempts to silence and control us through violence and propaganda have failed. The fight for a better Nigeria continues. We must remain determined and resolute in our struggle for a country that prioritizes the people over the profit and power of a few,” Lenin said.