The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s speech to the #EndBadGovernance protesters, saying it failed woefully in addressing the suffering of Nigerians.
Youths initiated protests on Thursday, August 1, in cities across Nigeria demanding an end to hunger and poor governance.
In his response, President Tinubu, during a Sunday broadcast, urged the protesters to cease their demonstrations saying fuel subsidy is gone forever.
In a statement on Sunday, Atiku pointed out that President Tinubu’s broadcast overlooks the severe economic challenges that Nigerian families have faced since the start of his administration.
Read the statement below…
“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.”
