Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has voiced strong criticism against President Bola Tinubu’s recent address to the #EndBadGovernance protesters. Atiku described Tinubu’s speech as lacking in substance and failing to adequately address the severe hardships faced by Nigerians.
With the country in the grip of significant economic challenges, many citizens are struggling to meet basic needs. This growing discontent has led to widespread protests, starting on Thursday and continuing through Saturday, in major cities such as Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, and Rivers. The protesters are calling for an end to hunger and poor governance.
In a broadcast on Sunday, President Tinubu called for an end to the protests. He defended his decision to remove the fuel subsidy and unify the foreign exchange systems, arguing that these measures were necessary to combat exploitation by smugglers and rent-seekers.
Tinubu stated that these reforms were also intended to stop unjust subsidies that benefitted neighboring countries at the expense of Nigerians, thereby weakening the national economy. He emphasized the long-term stagnation of the Nigerian economy, attributing it to various misalignments that needed to be addressed.
However, Atiku, in a statement on Sunday, contended that Tinubu’s speech overlooked the severe economic difficulties that Nigerian families have endured since the start of his administration.
He criticized Tinubu for not addressing specific demands from the protesters, such as halting the purchase of new aircraft for the President, reducing the size of his cabinet, and eliminating the expensive office of the First Lady. He described Tinubu’s address as superficial and unconvincing, suggesting that the President has a weak understanding of policy and has failed to present a credible reform agenda.
He stated, “This address lacks credibility and fails to offer any immediate, tangible solutions to the Nigerian people. Given the extensive publicity surrounding the protests and the threats issued by government officials against demonstrators, one would have expected President Tinubu to present groundbreaking reforms, particularly those aimed at reducing the exorbitant costs of governance.
“But alas, no such announcements were made. The President ignored the protesters’ demands, such as suspending the purchase of aircraft for the President, downsizing his bloated cabinet, or even eliminating the costly and burdensome office of the First Lady, who has been indulging in extravagant trips at the nation’s expense.
“In his lacklustre recorded speech, President Tinubu offered a superficial account of his so-called reforms, revealing his own tenuous grasp of policy as he failed to convince his audience. While the President has spoken, it is unfortunate that his words lack substance and respect for the protesters’ sentiments, leaving Nigerians with little faith in his reform agenda – if one exists at all.
“We urge the President and his team to own up to their failures over the past 14 months and abandon the absurd theory that the protests are orchestrated by the opposition. This administration has failed on all fronts, even in the simple task of keeping a presidential speech confidential.
“Typically, presidential addresses are shared under embargo with media houses. However, the premature leak of this speech, allowing Nigerians to read along with the President in real-time, starkly illustrates the media, nay Nigerians dwindling confidence in this administration.”
