Address Protesters’ Demands, ActionAid Tasks Tinubu

Civil society organisation, ActionAid Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately address the nation and provide a detailed plan to tackle bad governance and adopt pro-poor policies.

ActionAid, in a statement by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu on Friday in Abuja said, “The demands for pro-poor policies are not just valid; they are urgent and necessary. Inflation is crippling livelihoods, and some of the government’s current spending priorities are out of touch with the harsh realities faced by millions of Nigerians.”

He stressed that in the face of widespread protests and rising public discontent, it would be disheartening for President Tinubu to remain in the background, sending spokespersons to address the nation on his behalf.

He noted that the President must immediately address the nation, acknowledge the grievances and concerns driving the #EndBadGovernance protests, and provide a detailed plan, complete with clear, time-bound actions, to address bad governance and adopt pro-poor policies that can alleviate the severe economic hardships currently being faced.

Mamedu added that the recent court rulings restricting protests to specific locations such as the National Stadium in FCT, Peace Park and Freedom Park in Lagos, and Metropolitan Square in Kwara leave much to be desired and set a dangerous precedent that could curtail citizens’ rights to free expression.

He emphasised that these restrictions stifle the voice of the people and undermine the essence of democratic protest.

“If the President, governors, and lawmakers are not visiting these restricted locations to hear the people’s complaints firsthand, these limitations only serve to further alienate the government from the people it is meant to serve,” Mamedu said.

He said ActionAid Nigeria’s Situation Room has observed alarming incidents of unprovoked police violence in Abuja, Lagos, and some other locations.

“In these cities, tear gas was used against peaceful protesters without provocation, violating their rights and escalating tensions unnecessarily,” ActionAid Nigeria said.

He noted that the brutality was in stark contrast to the commendable actions of some police officers who have protected protesters and maintained peace in certain locations.

However, he noted that the instances of violence cannot be ignored or excused, especially as about twenty people have been killed across various protest locations in Nigeria.

Additionally, ActionAid Nigeria said the protests in Kano, Ibadan, Edo, and Kaduna have been hijacked by hoodlums, leading to looting and vandalism.

These, the group noted, challenged the legitimate demands of the protesters and created an environment of chaos and insecurity.

Mamedu maintaines that the police must address this situation urgently to restore order, and to ensure the safety of all citizens involved in the protests and properties.

He furthermore stated that individuals looting and destroying public and private properties should not be regarded as genuine protesters, insisting they should be dealt with according to the law.

The ActionAid Nigeria is however calling on both pro-and anti-protesters to ensure that their demonstrations remain peaceful and respectful.

“We also demand that the President urgently and directly address the nation and outline specific measures to tackle the issues arising. The demands of the protesters are simple – transparency, accountability, and policies that prioritise the welfare of the people.

“These should be fundamental duties of any government, not concessions wrung from it through protest. Our situation room is actively monitoring the protests and the government’s response.

“We have teams deployed across the country, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and that their rights are protected. We reiterate that the time for action is now.

“The future of Nigeria depends on responsive, responsible, and people-centered governance. The demands of the #EndBadGovernance protesters are a clarion call for change that must be heeded,” he said.