Hunger protest: Tinubu’s speech attracts knocks, kudos

•Soyinka, PDP slam President’s address

•NGO, others hail it

•Protest organisers demand 1,150 detainees’ release

The organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest have demanded the release of 1,150 protesters allegedly arrested by the police during the first three days of the nationwide rallies.

In response to the appeal by President Bola Tinubu to end the protest, which has claimed several lives, following his broadcast on Sunday morning, the organisers: Take It Back Movement, Youth Rights Campaign and the Creative Change Centre, in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Sunday, vowed to carry on with the demonstration, stating that Tinubu did not address their demands in his Sunday morning national broadcast.

Tinubu had called for dialogue and an immediate end to the nationwide protests that have rocked the nation since Thursday.

Protesters, largely youths, have been marching across several states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for an end to “bad governance” and economic hardship.

Tear gas and gunshots were fired to disperse protesters and journalists in Abuja with several arrests made by security operatives on Saturday.

The protest has also been marred by reported lootings by hoodlums in Kano, Kaduna and other northern states, with the police going after the culprits to recover some items.

However, the President, who said his administration was ready to listen to and address the concerns of the protesters, claimed he has heard their calls “loud and clear.”

Tinubu also commiserated with the families of Nigerians who died during clashes with security forces and those who lost property to lootings recorded in various states.

“I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity,” he declared.

He said the country required all hands on deck regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides to work together in reshaping its common destiny.

To the protesters, he said, “I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens.

“But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart. We must work together to build a brighter future where every Nigerian can live with dignity and prosperity.

“Let nobody misinform and mis-educate you about your country or tell you that your government does not care about you.”

But responding to Tinubu’s appeal, the Director of Mobilisation,  Take It Back movement, Damilare Adenola, said the group would continue to mobilise mass support for the demonstration and demand the unconditional release of protesters in custody.

The Civil Society Situation Room had in a statement on Friday said 1,150 persons had been arrested, 21 killed and injured during confrontations with security agencies.

But the police said on Saturday that a total of 681 criminals were arrested for committing various offences between Thursday and Friday.

 The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, also noted that only seven persons had been killed during the protests.

However, Adenola disclosed that they were making frantic efforts to ensure that the protesters were released, adding that their lawyers were working to ensure the release of the protesters.

He said, “We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters. We will continue to mobilise legal support, provide resources for them, and amplify their stories to ensure their voices are not silenced. We will also hold the government accountable for any mistreatment or human rights abuses they may have suffered while in custody.”

The campaigner also said the group would continue to exercise their constitutional rights in the face of government’s intimidation.

He added that a strategy to ensure the citizens participating in the protest would be adopted.

Adenola noted, “We will continue to exercise our constitutional right to peaceful protest, even in the face of government intimidation. We will adapt our tactics to ensure the safety of our members while maintaining the momentum of our movement. We will also continue to build public support and solidarity to counter the government’s attempts to silence us.”

He denied the involvement of the group with the Kano protesters seen waving what appeared to be Russian flags.

He said, “We don’t dictate what individuals choose to bring to our protests. People have the right to express themselves freely, and that includes holding flags or symbols of their choice. Our movement is focused on Nigerian issues and demands, and we won’t be swayed by attempts to divert attention or discredit our cause. We’re united in our call for change, and that’s what matters.”

He said he would not go underground if the intimidation by the government intensified.

“While I will take necessary precautions to ensure my safety, I will not be driven underground. I will continue to mobilise, organise and protest peacefully, using all available channels to amplify our message and achieve our demands. We will not be silenced or intimidated,’’ the activist stated.

The National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign, Michael Lenin, said his group was also working with their lawyers to secure the release of detained protesters.

He said, “We are working with lawyers to ensure those arrested are released. We just secured the release of one of our members who was arrested yesterday (Saturday). We are making efforts to ensure the release of others.”

 He described the resort to force by the government as sinister, alleging that he observed the involvement of the military in the attack on protesters.

He said, “We have been condemning the use of force from the very first day. I am sure the government has a sinister agenda to ensure that there’s a brutal attack on the protesters.

“We have seen the gradual use of the military in this protest, firing live ammunition at protesters. This shows the government has an agenda to repeat what happened in Lekki Toll Gate. We will not be deterred and we will never submit our democratic rights to them.”

He, however, denied the involvement of foreign countries in the protest, saying, “We don’t identify with any foreign government, but we are opposed to oppressors in the country.”

On his part, the Initiator, Creative Change Centre, Omole Ibukun, explained that several groups involved in the protests were mobilising for the bail of arrested protesters.

He said, “For the arrested protesters, we are organising as a coalition of mobilisers to free the arrested and adding it to the demand of our protests until the government heeds our demands.”

Ibukun said the organisers were mobilising more Nigerians following the decision of the government to use force to disperse the protests.

He said, “With the understanding that the government is ready to use force, we are mobilising more and more Nigerians to stand up to the government of force and coercion. We are going to ensure that the agents of force understand that it is impossible to carry out an unconstitutional order to shoot at their brothers, sisters and children.”

 Ibukun said the government might have hired the protesters waving Russian flags to delegitimise the protests.

“Given the many efforts that the government has made, like paying anti-protesters and gathering thugs to loot in the name of the protests, it is not far-fetched that the government could have paid thugs to raise foreign flags to delegitimise the protests,” he added.

He said, “We are not going underground because our struggle requires the open mobilisation of the Nigerian masses.”

A lawyer to the protesters, Deji Adeyanju, said his chambers had prompted the release of 23 protesters arrested in Abuja out of more than 50 persons, adding that he is working with other lawyers to free others across the country.

Adeyanju stated, “We’ve been able to rescue about 23 of them, but there are still more to be rescued because over 50 were arrested. We are still working on them. In Kaduna, a lot of protesters were arrested by the DSS and the police.

“We’ve been able to work with a team of volunteer lawyers, all offering pro bono (services) to help them. In Kano, it’s a similar thing, in Sokoto, the same thing, in Jigawa same thing, in Gombe, the same thing. We are working right now in Borno.”

The lawyer explained that the protesters were insistent on continuing with the protests “despite subtle threats by the President in his address on Sunday, which would embolden security agencies against the protesters.”

 “You know we are acting as lawyers to the protesters. We will continue to engage them; the protesters are not willing to stop the protests. They know the President has emboldened the security agents by his speech to harass the protesters, and then to kill them.

 “What they are saying generally is that instead of them to die at the hands of bandits and terrorists, they prefer President Tinubu to kill them on the streets, standing for their rights, standing for the rights of their children, demanding for the end of bad governance in the country,” Adeyanju added.

 Speaking on allegations of foreign sponsorship and protesters waving purported Russian flags, Adeyanju said, “Well, I have not seen those things that are being referenced. You know this protest is being done in all the states in the country, there may be some misguided people here and there.”

On the GoFundMe account started by the organisers of the protest, Adeyanju said he wasn’t aware of the fund-raising, adding, however, that Nigerians were free to independently raise funds for causes, but warned against being scammed as it happened during the #EndSARS protest.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja earlier on Sunday, the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest said they were disappointed with the President’s broadcast, adding that it was an indication that he was out of touch with reality in the country.

The National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign, Michael Lenin, said, “Many had requested that the President should just address the nation when the protest was being mobilised and when it started to escalate, but most of us did not know that the President would only justify state violence on protesters and journalists while dismissing the demands of the protesters whenever he decided to speak.

“This, plus the failed attempt to co-opt the progressive and radical language of the protests only shows how much President Tinubu is out of touch with the masses.”

Emiola Osifeso, representing the #TakeItBack group, submitted that the President’s claim that the protests were politically motivated showed a deep disconnection from the masses.

He said, “The claim by President Tinubu that our protests are driven by a political agenda to tear Nigeria apart is nothing but an attempt to call a dog a bad name so that he can easily hang it. It is a gross misrepresentation of the obvious facts that have become the economic reality of all Nigerians.

“The protest was the lawful response of the Nigerian people to the failure of the Tinubu government to address these endemic systemic issues after over 14 months in power.”

Omole Ibukun of the Creative Change Centre said the broadcast was filled with empty promises and vague assurances.

He said, “President Tinubu claimed to understand the pain and frustration driving our protests, yet the long broadcast was filled with empty promises and vague assurances. We must not forget that this same President and his ruling APC have deployed security forces, including the Army, Police and DSS to suppress the rights to dissent of protesters by using teargas on protesters, beating, injuring, arresting and killing scores of protesters.”

He stated that the economic achievements listed by the President were abstract and did not reflect the actual conditions in the country.

“To further confirm that President Tinubu’s disconnection from the masses borders on psychopathy, he started reeling out economic figures in the typical neoliberal attitude that prioritises some abstract economic growth over the immediate welfare needs of the people.”

Lenin, however, said the protest would continue “massively” on Monday (today).

He said, “We therefore call on Nigerians, to come out in large numbers to continue these protests on Monday until our demands are met. The two-pronged approach of violence and propaganda has failed.”

The National Coordinator of the #TakeItBack Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, told The PUNCH in an interview that President Tinubu “turned deaf ears to the demands of the protesters. Whether deliberate or not, he has shown that he cares less about what affects millions of Nigerians whom he governs.”

Noting that the protest would continue, Sanyaolu said, “Tinubu’s speech at best glossed over the issues, completely ignored the demands as if it never existed, and subsequently blackmailed peaceful protesters, failing to take responsibility for the extrajudicial murder of protesters.”

He called on people to join the protest on Monday at Ojota, Alausa, or any nearest location.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, also said the #EndBadGovernancelnNigeria action “will resume fully tomorrow (today) across Nigeria and in several parts of Lagos—Lekki Toll Gate, Alausa Secretariat, former Lagos Toll Gate, Ketu, LASU Gate, Abule Egba, FESTAC Town, and several other centres.”

“However, all groups are advised to march towards Ojota before processions to the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa,” he wrote on his official Facebook page.

Assessing the President’s address, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, described as retrogressive, the response of the Federal Government to the ongoing protest in the country.

Soyinka, in a statement titled, ‘The hunger march as universal mandate’ and issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State, condemned the use of force on the protesters, noting that this was uncivil and might pave the way for further unrest.

“The tragic response to the ongoing hunger marches in parts of the nation, and for which notice was served, constitutes a retrogression that takes the nation even further back than the deadly culmination of the watershed ENDSARS protests,” Soyinka stated.

‘’It evokes pre-independence – that is, colonial – acts of disdain, a passage that induced the late stage pioneer Hubert Ogunde’s folk opera BREAD AND BULLETS, earning that nationalist serial persecution and proscription by the colonial government.”

He expressed concern over the continuing deterioration of the state’s seizure of protest management, saying it was “an area in which the presidential address fell conspicuously short.”

“Such short-changing of civic deserving, regrettably, goes to arm the security forces in the exercise of impunity and condemns the nation to a seemingly unbreakable cycle of resentment and reprisals,” he added.

Soyinka was unhappy over the violent reaction to the protest by the security agencies, saying, “Live bullets as a state response to civic protest – that becomes the core issue. Even tear gas remains questionable in most circumstances, certainly an abuse in situations of clearly peaceful protest.”

According to him, hunger marches are a universal thing, “not peculiar to the Nigerian nation.”

Citing the Yellow Vest protests that rocked France in 2018 and the conduct of security agencies in the country, Soyinka said Nigeria’s security agencies “Cannot pretend unawareness of alternative models for emulation, civilised advances in security intervention.”

“Perhaps it is time to make such (France) scenarios compulsory viewing in policing curriculum. In all of the coverage that I watched, I did not catch one single instance of a gun levelled at protesters, much less fired at them even during direct physical confrontations.

“The serving of bullets where bread is pleaded is ominous retrogression, and we know what that eventually proves – a prelude to far more desperate upheavals, not excluding revolutions.’’

Berating the state agencies further, the playwright added, “The time is long overdue, surely, to abandon, permanently, the anachronistic resort to lethal means by the security agencies of governance.

“No nation is so under-developed, materially impoverished, or simply internally insecure as to lack the will to set an example.  All it takes is to recall its own history, then exercise the will to commence a lasting transformation, inserting a break in the chain of lethal responses against civic society.”

 A former education minister, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, equally expressed disappointment over Tinubu’s broadcast, describing it as underwhelming.

 “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.

‘’Your speech is quite  a monumental missed opportunity to placate citizens with sound answers and outline of convincing evidence-based actions that you and your @NigeriaGov will immediately take to address the priority #BadGovernance concerns,’’ she posted on x.com

A former Minister of Sports under former President Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung, said the President only addressed his cabinet members and not Nigerians.

Dalung, who spoke with journalists in Jos on Sunday after attending a church service organised by the protesters, insisted that the ongoing protest would continue in Plateau State.

“The President did not say anything in his speech. He did not appeal to the protesters to stop the protest. He only threatened them and told the security agencies to continue with the clampdown, shooting and killing. He was just talking to himself and members of his cabinet and we have resolved to continue with the protests.

Pro-democracy group, the National Democratic Coalition, also picked holes on the President’s speech. The group said his  speech failed to address issues such as insecurity and unemployment, which according to it, were central to the well-being of the masses.

The Chairman of NADECO-USA, Prof. Mondy Gold, said this in a statement on Sunday.

The statement read, “In the wake of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s latest address, a profound sense of dissonance pervades the nation. The President’s words, rather than heralding a transformative vision, seemed mired in a troubling complacency and a lack of foresight, appearing content with the status quo at the expense of our youth and future generations.

“The President’s speech failed to address the pressing issues that grip our nation, such as insecurity and unemployment. These critical issues, which are central to the well-being of our people, were notably absent, leaving a palpable void where leadership and reassurance should have been.

“The absence of a clear strategy to tackle these fundamental concerns has cast doubt on the administration’s priorities and direction. In these uncertain times, it is the fervent hope of the Nigerian Diaspora that our leadership will recognise the urgency of the moment and forge a path that prioritises the welfare and prosperity of all Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, opposition parties have condemned President Tinubu’s national broadcast, saying it was shallow and did not show any sign that the Federal Government had a clue on how to reverse the hardship and economic woes plaguing the country.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the President was “not in charge” of the running of the affairs of the country.

He said, “The man is not in charge. He does not even understand the magnitude of his office or the responsibilities it entails. Tinubu’s national broadcast was empty, shallow and shows he is bereft of ideas. As a party, we condemn it in its entirety. Even his followers and members of the APC were disappointed. He did not even address the issues Nigerians are asking.

“We have a President that just wanted to be seen as the Commander In Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and he has succeeded in getting the power at all costs. Yet, we warned Nigerians this might happen. But they were deceived by the yam porridge he was dishing out to the country. Now, they are disappointed.

“In the history of this country, we have never had a President that carried on in the manner Tinubu did. There were issues in 2012 around the planned removal of (fuel) subsidy. People protested against it and the then President withdrew it. You will recall that this same Tinubu was among those who protested against former President Goodluck Jonathan. Today, you ask yourself that with a minimum wage of N70,000, how does this President want Nigerians to eat three square meals on a daily basis?”

When asked the way forward, the PDP deputy spokesman said unless all the opposition parties and non-partisan elder statesmen come together to chart a new path, the masses will continue to wallow under the yoke of hardship.

Also, the National Working Committee of Labour Party frowned at the presidential broadcast.

The National Legal Adviser of LP, Kehinde Edun, told our correspondent, “Tinubu has not said anything new. It is just a repetition of what he has been saying all along. He only did that just came on air to reel out the same things he has dished out before. This man is yet to address the demands pushed forward by the protesters. Even the killings and attack on journalists and protesters were not also addressed. All he has succeeded in telling us is that he has no solution to Nigeria’s problems.

“One can only hope at this point that he may be able to come with some sort of solutions if given more time. Otherwise he has always said those things he did together, which has not been working. As it is now, people are tired. I don’t even think they can sustain this protest again. The good thing is that their voices have been heard. At least, people know what is going on now.”

The National Publicity Secretary of New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, also shared the same sentiment.

“What the speech seemed to have shown is that Mr President and his team seem to have buckled down by giving the notion that there is no going back on their policies. And this is not what Nigerians want to hear. One would have felt the President would have told the people that he would have a committee look into two or three major programmes that have put the economy into the state it is today,” Johnson said.

But the ruling All Progressives Congress kicked, insisting that Tunubu deserved commendation and not condemnation for having the courage to address Nigerians amidst the ongoing protest across the country.

But the APC insisted that the President had done the right thing by addressing the people and showing that he cares.

The National Director of Publicity for the ruling party, Bala Ibrahim, expressed disappointment with the opposition, describing it as “unreasonable” and “an act of ungodliness.”

He said, “Even if we don’t say kudos to the President for what he has done, he doesn’t deserve condemnation. We should appreciate what he has done. When you look at the opening part of his broadcast, the President said he was speaking with a “heavy heart.” I don’t know if the problem is that people don’t understand English or they simply are expecting leaders to play God.

“The problems of Nigeria cannot be addressed in 30 minutes. The President’s nationwide broadcast was less than 30 minutes and he talked on so many issues. It is only God who can address the problems of Nigeria in probably less than 30 seconds. No human being can do that. Anyway, I am not expecting anything different from the opposition or expect them to show appreciation. This is because the man in question has beaten them at the poll, in the court and public opinion survey.

“Therefore, the only thing they can do is to cast aspersions and condemnation on what is being done. But instead, he has taken the responsibility as a champion to lead the country by example. What else do they want him to do? Opposition in developed democracy is to play constructive criticism, not destructive and reckless ones. But here, they don’t see anything good. Yet, Nigerians gave them a chance to show their competence for 16 years. Rather, they proved to be incompetent. They were the ones that put the country where it is today.”

However, despite the criticisms of the President, former Director-General of the Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Doyin Okupe, and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, lauded Tinubu’s speech, with the former asserting that he had consistently met Nigerians’ expectations.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Okupe noted, “President Bola Tinubu’s speech has not disappointed Nigerians. For the first time, the President clearly outlined the precarious economic situation his administration inherited.”

“The speech highlighted notable achievements, including more than doubling the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 per month, committing over N45 billion to the student loan scheme, increasing national oil production to over 1.6 million barrels per day, and significant funding for MSMEs and youth development programs,” Okupe added.

Keyamo stated on X.com, “Great and inspiring speech by Mr. President. Compassionate, yet firm; conciliatory, yet not condescending; resolute on our objectives, yet reassuring. Wonderful balance.”

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre also hailed President Tinubu for his national address, urging protesters and organisers to suspend further protests and embrace dialogue.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation acknowledged Tinubu’s recognition of the grievances driving the protests and his commitment to listening to and addressing Nigerian citizens’ concerns.

CISLAC commended Tinubu’s emphasis on the need for unity and collective efforts in reshaping the nation’s future.

“CISLAC stands firmly with the demands for justice and reform for administrative justice system and improved governance as it will ensure  a just and prosperous nation where peace, freedom and meaningful livelihoods are enjoyed under a transparent and accountable government,” it affirmed.

Rafsanjani, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Amnesty International Nigeria and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, added that President Tinubu and his appointees must also stop concerted efforts to link the protests and grievances of Nigerians to politics.

“Doing so is clearly an attempt to divert attention from the reality of deep poverty plaguing millions of Nigerians right now. Rather, the government should focus on improving the economy inclusively,” the organisation added.

A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, also hailed the President for delivering a “good speech.”
Omokri stated on X.com, “For me, the best part of the speech was when the President said, ‘My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens.’
“It was a very good inspiration to the protesters to suspend their protest. The message has been passed and received. I like that. President Tinubu displayed the democrat in him by making this statement at the end of his speech.

“Altogether, it was a good speech. Politics is a contact sport, and the President has connected with the nation through this speech. Anyone who wants to continue protesting after this obviously has ulterior motives, and Nigerians should not follow that corpse to its grave!”