ActionAid Nigeria has urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly address the nation in response to ongoing protests against poor governance. The organization expressed solidarity with the demonstrators and emphasized the urgency of implementing pro-poor policies amid widespread economic hardship.
In a statement released on Friday, ActionAid Nigeria commended the protesters participating in the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, highlighting the pressing need for government intervention as inflation cripples livelihoods. The organization criticized the President’s reliance on spokespersons, insisting that Tinubu should personally acknowledge the grievances fueling the protests and present a detailed, actionable plan to address issues of bad governance and economic challenges.
The statement also condemned recent court rulings restricting protests to specific locations, such as the National Stadium in the FCT, Peace Park and Freedom Park in Lagos, and Metropolitan Square in Kwara. ActionAid argued that these limitations could suppress citizens’ rights to free expression and further disconnect the government from the populace.
Moreover, the organization reported instances of unprovoked police violence against peaceful protesters in cities like Abuja and Lagos, noting that the use of tear gas had escalated tensions. ActionAid contrasted these actions with the commendable behavior of officers who protected protesters, stressing that any police brutality must be addressed.
Additionally, the protests in Kano, Ibadan, Edo, and Kaduna have seen infiltration by hoodlums, leading to looting and vandalism. ActionAid emphasized that such criminal activities undermine the legitimate demands of the protesters and called for swift police action to restore order and protect public and private property.
ActionAid Nigeria concluded by urging both supporters and opponents of the protests to maintain peaceful and respectful demonstrations. The organization called on President Tinubu to directly address the nation and outline measures to ensure transparency, accountability, and the prioritization of citizens’ welfare. They stressed that these are essential responsibilities of any government, not concessions to be extracted through protest. ActionAid’s situation room continues to monitor the protests and government responses to ensure that citizens’ rights are upheld and their voices heard.
