ActionAid Nigeria, a civil society organization, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately address the nation and provide a comprehensive plan to tackle bad governance and adopt policies that benefit the poor.
The organization’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, made this call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Mamedu emphasized that the demands for pro-poor policies are both valid and urgent, citing the crippling effects of inflation on livelihoods and the government’s spending priorities being out of touch with the harsh realities faced by millions of Nigerians.
He criticized President Tinubu for remaining in the background and sending spokespersons to address the nation on his behalf, amidst widespread protests and rising public discontent.
Mamedu stressed that the President must directly address the nation, acknowledge the grievances driving the #EndBadGovernance protests, and provide a detailed plan with clear, time-bound actions to address bad governance and adopt pro-poor policies.
Additionally, Mamedu expressed concern over recent court rulings restricting protests to specific locations, stating that these restrictions undermine citizens’ rights to free expression and stifle the voice of the people.
He emphasized that such restrictions set a dangerous precedent that could curtail 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.
