Tinubu’s speech failed to address the demands of the protesters says Falana, PDP, Ezekwesili
The Peoples Democratic Party has labelled President Bola Tinubu’s speech to the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters as a distraction.
In a Sunday statement, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the speech failed to address the protesters’ concerns.
With economic hardships worsening, many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities.
In reaction to these conditions, youths began protests on Thursday, which have continued through Saturday in cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, and others, demanding an end to hunger and poor governance.
He emphasized that the Nigerian economy had been stagnant for decades due to numerous misalignments that hindered its growth.
However, Ologunagba stated that Tinubu’s speech clearly demonstrates the All Progressives Congress administration’s insensitivity towards Nigerians and the dire situation in the country.
The statement reads, “Our party is appalled that despite the fact that it took President Tinubu the prodding of the PDP to speak to the nation, it is distressing that the speech failed to offer any concrete measure to address the excruciating hardship in the country.
“Mr President’s speech failed to respond to the demand by the citizens for immediate measures to reduce the price of petroleum products, halt the fall of the Naira and urgent intervention in the provision of food items to starving Nigerians.
“It is equally shocking that the speech did not order an investigation into the brutal killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous operatives of the APC-controlled security agencies while demanding good governance, protection, security and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government.
“Instead, the speech dwelt on APC’s counter-productive action of disregarding the feelings and pains of the people by focusing on self-praise, claims of imaginary achievements and empty projections in the face of the apparent and obvious failure of the APC in every aspect of governance.
“Such only reinforces public apprehension that the APC administration is uncaring and impervious to the suffering and pains of millions of Nigerians, particularly the youths whose dreams, hopes and aspirations are being dashed by the APC.”
Channels reported that in a statement on Sunday, Soyinka specifically criticised the steps reeled out by the President since the protests started.
“His outline of the government’s remedial action since inception, aimed at warding off just such an outbreak, will undoubtedly receive expert and sustained attention both for effectiveness and in content analysis. My primary concern, quite predictably, is the continuing deterioration of the state’s seizure of protest management, an area in which the presidential address fell conspicuously short,” Soyinka said.
In a post on X, Ezekwesili said the speech “reads like a page from your party manifesto”.
She said Tinubu missed an opportunity to explain the immediate actions his administration has taken to address the demands of those on the streets.
“As one of millions of Nigerians who were at church when you delivered your late-in-coming speech to citizens on the #EndBadGovernancelnNigeria protests, let me loudly say it was terribly underwhelming to read,” she said.
“Your speech reads like a page from your party manifesto and terribly failed to connect to what our citizens on the streets are angry and protesting about.
Falana said, “If the government takes the fight against corruption to oil dealers and crude oil is processed in government-owned refineries, there will be no basis for fuel subsidy, which is induced by the importation of petroleum products. A positive response to the key demands of the youths to review the protesters could make them review their actions. Insensitivity to their demands can only provoke continued action.”
While congratulating the protesters for drawing the attention of politicians who are eating in Abuja to the plight of millions of Nigerians who are hungry, Falana demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all protesters that were arrested and detained saying they had not committed any criminal offence.
Falana also condemned the repression of the peaceful protesters while commiserating with all those who lost loved ones in the protest.
Punch further reporter that He called on the government to set up commissions of inquiry to bring to justice those responsible for the reckless killings.
“We commiserate with the families of the patriots’ peaceful protesters that were killed and call on the Federal and State Governments to set up Commissions of Inquiry, which should include representatives of credible human rights organisations and the NBA to investigate the killings with a view to bringing to justice prosecute the reckless murderers in Police uniform and ensuring that.
“The family members of the deceased should be adequately compensated by the federal government. The victims of the barbarous police killings should be identified and celebrated as heroes and heroines of the struggle for the emancipation of the downtrodden Nigerian people. Participation in peaceful protests should never be criminalised in Nigeria.”
