The organizers of the ongoing nationwide protest against hardship, including former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, and human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, have criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent response to the movement.
The protest, which entered its fourth day yesterday, has seen participants demanding that the President address their 15-point agenda to alleviate the economic crisis.
The President’s national address, delivered amidst growing public discontent, has been widely panned by protest leaders and activists who argue that it failed to address their concerns.
In Lagos, the protest continued at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, as well as in other states like Osun and Kano, where demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response.
“President’s Broadcast a Complete Disaster” —
Adeyanju
One of the main organizers, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, did not mince words, describing the President’s speech as a “complete disaster.”
He stated, “President Tinubu failed to address the demands of protesters, not even one, and it is very disappointing and unfortunate.”
Adeyanju expressed frustration that the President did not order the arrest of those responsible for the deaths of peaceful protesters in recent days, highlighting a lack of accountability.
Adeyanju further criticized the absence of substantial policy changes in the address, particularly concerning fuel subsidies and electricity tariffs.
“Our expectations from the broadcast were so many…unfortunately, none of these things were dealt with,” he lamented.
Protests Continue Despite Presidential Appeal
In Osun State, Ajala Adetunji, Coordinator of the protest under the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens, confirmed that the protest would continue, as the President’s speech did not satisfy their demands.
“The President’s call for dialogue is an open-ended appeal, which does not have a clear indicator of what will be done,” he said.
Similarly, in Kano, hundreds of protesters took to the streets, even as the state government relaxed a 24-hour curfew to ease the burden on residents.
The protesters, mainly youths, expressed dissatisfaction by displaying the Russian flag and chanting, “koya gyara sai ya sauka,” meaning “whether he (Tinubu) adjusts or not, he must go.”
Churches Attacked in Katsina Amid Protests
In Katsina, the protest took a violent turn as hoodlums attacked churches, looting and destroying properties.
The Living Faith Church in Daura Local Government Area was particularly hard-hit, with the newly renovated church ransacked and valuable items stolen.
Pastor David Jato confirmed the attack, noting that the church had to cancel its Sunday service due to the damage.
The former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Katsina, Rev. Nelson Onyekachuku, condemned the violence and urged the government to ensure the protection of places of worship.
“Speech Hollow, Fails to Address Hardship” —
Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dismissed President Tinubu’s broadcast as “hollow,” stating it did not provide solutions to the pressing economic issues facing Nigerians.
Atiku, through his Media Adviser Paul Ibe, criticized the President for failing to offer immediate, tangible solutions or address key demands such as reducing government expenditure and addressing fuel subsidy issues.
Criticism from Soyinka, Falana, and NLC
Prof. Wole Soyinka criticized the President’s failure to address the use of violence by security forces against protesters, a sentiment echoed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana.
Falana called for commissions of inquiry to investigate the killings and compensate the victims’ families.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also expressed disappointment, stating that the President’s speech did not address the core concerns of the protesters, especially the youths.
Business Sector and Civil Society React
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the National Association of Maritime Transport Operators (NAMTOP) also voiced their concerns.
NECA urged the government to address the economic issues plaguing the private sector, while NAMTOP criticized the quality of the President’s team, calling for justice for protesters killed by security operatives.
