Protests: Address Nigerians now, ActionAid tells Tinubu

In the face of widespread protests and rising public discontent, ActionAid Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the nation and outline specific measures to tackle the demands of protesters.

They said it is disheartening for the President to remain in the background and send spokespersons to address the nation on his behalf, stressing the need for him to provide a detailed plan, complete with clear, time-bound actions, to address bad governance and adopt pro-poor policies that can alleviate the severe economic hardships currently being faced.

The Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, in a statement, said ActionAid Nigeria stands with the courageous Nigerians taking to the streets in the #EndBadGovernance protests as the demands for pro-poor policies are not just valid but urgent and necessary.

He noted that the recent court rulings restricting protests to specific locations such as the National Stadium in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Peace Park and Freedom Park in Lagos, and Metropolitan Square in Kwara leave much to be desired and set a dangerous precedent that could curtail citizens’ rights to free expression.

He said, “These restrictions stifle the voice of the people and undermine the essence of democratic protest. If the President, Governors, and lawmakers are not visiting these restricted locations to hear the people’s complaints firsthand, these limitations only serve to further alienate the government from the people it is meant to serve.”

Mamedu also pointed out that their situation room has observed alarming incidents of unprovoked police violence in Abuja, Lagos, and some other locations, as tear gas was used against peaceful protesters without provocation, violating their rights and escalating tensions unnecessarily.

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He said, “This brutality is in stark contrast to the commendable actions of some police officers who have protected protesters and maintained peace in certain locations. However, the instances of violence cannot be ignored or excused, especially as about twenty people have been killed across various protest locations in Nigeria.”

While acknowledging that the protests in Kano, Ibadan, Edo, and Kaduna have been hijacked by hoodlums, leading to looting and vandalism, he said the hijacking challenges the legitimate demands of the protesters and creates an environment of chaos and insecurity.

The Country Director urged the police to address this situation urgently to restore order and ensure the safety of all citizens involved in the protests and properties, saying those individuals looting and destroying public and private properties should not be regarded as genuine protesters; they should be dealt with according to the law.

ActionAid Nigeria further called on both pro and anti-protesters to ensure their demonstrations remain peaceful and respectful.