Protest: Six Things President Tinubu Must Do Now – Ex-Minister

Former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jr, has advised President Bola Tinubu on six urgent steps to take amid hunger protests across the country.

Frank Nweke Jr said President Tinubu must not fail to engage with citizens pressed by economic challenges and hunger.

In his six suggestions, Nweke advised the President to address the citizens and protesters directly and not through surrogates. He added that the President must order an immediate investigation of the killing of peaceful and unarmed protesters by security forces.

The former All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate, in Enugu, told President Tinubu to cut down the cost of governance and combat corruption.

He emphasized that the federal government must call state governors to be alive to their duties.

On his X handle, on Saturday, Nweke Jr said, “Speak with Nigerians. He must listen to and address Nigerians directly, not through tone-deaf surrogates.

“Demand an immediate investigation into the reported killings across the country and hold the security services accountable for the life of every Nigerian that has been cut short.

“Take immediate and definite steps that show a commitment to reducing the size and cost of governance, reviewing the salaries of public officials downwards, and going beyond lip service to combat corruption and profligacy in the government.

“Put the state governments on the line. Federal Accounts Allocations increased by 179% in the first five months of 2024 as a result of the unpopular subsidy removal.

“With some states receiving almost 100% more money, the president must call on state governments to deliver on their responsibilities and seek a structured partnership with citizens to hold state governments accountable.

“Following the ruling that it is unconstitutional for State governors to receive, tamper, or administer funds meant for Local Governments, the Federal Government must create an accountability and monitoring mechanism to hold Local Governments accountable for providing critical services to citizens.

“The president must continue to urge Nigerians to embrace constructive engagement, employing the services of eminent citizens to midwife a national conversations between government and citizens about the state of the nation to arrive at a consensus on the way forward.”