…Atiku: “Tinubu Was Talking to Himself,” …CSOs Demand Action on Unfulfilled Promises
Reactions continue to pour in from civil society groups and political leaders following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day anniversary speech.
The president led a colorful parade and cultural celebration at the State House in Abuja, where he called for national unity and patience in the face of economic hardship.
Despite the pageantry, civil society organizations (CSOs) and opposition figures have expressed disappointment over what they see as a lack of concrete action.
The event, which featured displays from Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and symbolic military drills, included the attendance of top dignitaries such as Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas. Diplomats, government officials, and ministers also graced the occasion, many of them dressed in the recently launched unity fabric designed by the First Lady, Remi Tinubu.
CSOs Demand Tangible Steps, Not Rhetoric
Civil society groups, including the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Transparency International (TI), and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), voiced their frustration, urging the president to take meaningful action to address Nigeria’s socio-economic and political crises.
Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, leader of the CSOs, emphasized that promises of dialogue with citizens, including the youth, remain unfulfilled.
“We urge the President to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps towards meaningful dialogue with Nigerians,” Rafsanjani said. “Citizens seek immediate relief from the harsh economic and social conditions they face daily under this administration.
People are struggling to survive, and they need to see swift and impactful measures that improve their quality of life and security.”
CISLAC also pointed out the absence of any formal framework or timeline for the dialogue that Tinubu had pledged in his address, calling into question the government’s sincerity.
Atiku: “Tinubu Was Talking to Himself”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar sharply criticized the president’s speech, stating that many Nigerians had tuned out, preoccupied with the economic realities they are currently grappling with.
Through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku compared the president’s communication to characters in Animal Farm, dismissing it as empty promises.
“Tinubu was talking to himself. Nigerians have moved on from the scourge of the Tinubu administration to how to get by with the multitude of challenges they face, such as food, energy crisis, and inflation,” Atiku said.
“The Tinubu administration is a playbook of Animal Farm The plenty that they talk about is non-existent. And Nigerians continue to suffer. It has never been this bad. It’s such a shame.”
He urged Nigerians to reflect on how they ended up under Tinubu’s leadership, urging unity among opposition leaders to rescue the country from its current trajectory.
Labour Party and Accord Party Call for Action
Labour Party National Chairman Barr Julius Abure echoed similar sentiments, calling for Nigerians to unite and confront pressing issues such as election malpractices, poverty, insurgency, and corruption.
“We must reclaim our nation from those who have hijacked it for their selfish interests,” Abure remarked.
Accord Party National Chairman Prof. Chris Imumolen reminded Nigerians of their resilience, asserting that despite high unemployment and rising living costs, the country’s youth remain some of the most innovative and entrepreneurial in the world.
“Our history as a nation is a testament to our ability to weather storms and emerge stronger. This is not the first time we are being tested, and it will not be the last,” he said. “But each time we rise, we rise more united, more focused, and more determined to overcome.”
Imumolen also urged the government to create robust policies that harness Nigeria’s agricultural potential and talents to address the economic challenges, advising the administration to prioritize reducing unemployment and leveraging local resources to build a sustainable future.
The Road Ahead
As the fallout from the Independence Day speech continues, civil society groups and political leaders are calling on the Tinubu administration to match words with action. Whether through meaningful dialogue or urgent economic interventions, the consensus remains clear—Nigerians want to see immediate, impactful changes to their living conditions.
