*Address Silent on Hunger, Hardship Way out, Others
In a surprise move, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the nation on Sunday, calling for the immediate suspension of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest that had been gaining momentum.
The hunger protest, which was sparked by economic hardship, rising cost of living and food insecurity, had brought thousands of Nigerians to the streets since August 1, demanding action from the government.
While acknowledging the concerns of the protesters, President Tinubu warned that the situation was on the brink of escalating into violence, and that the government would not tolerate any further unrest.
He urged the promoters of the protest to stand down to embrace dialogue and work with his administration to find solutions to the country’s economic challenges.
The speech read in part: “Under the circumstances, 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.
Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation.”
The President read the riot act to those who have used the #EndBadGovernance protest to cause violence, vowing that the long hand of the law will catch up with them.
“To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.”, the president said.
The President also announced a series of measures aimed at alleviating the suffering of Nigerians, including the distribution of food palliatives, the creation of jobs, and the implementation of policies to reduce the cost of living.
While some Nigerians welcomed the President’s intervention, others expressed skepticism, arguing that the government had been slow to respond to the crisis and that the measures announced were insufficient.
As the nation waits to see the outcome of President Tinubu’s efforts, one thing is clear: the hunger protest has brought attention to the pressing issues facing Nigeria, and the government must now act to address them. Will the address bring an end to the #EndBadGovernance protest? The unfolding events will tell.
