ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address has failed to impress protesters as they have vowed not to back down.
In his address yesterday, Tinubu assured that the efforts of his administration “will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel and enjoy.”
In spite of the promise, protests have continued in Osun, Edo, Kano, Abuja and many other parts of the country, particularly in northern Nigeria. They claimed the address was devoid of substance that could make them call off the protests.
Hours after Tinubu’s much-anticipated broadcast, hundreds of protesters in Osogbo, Osun State, converged under the Olaiya Bridge in Osogbo to conduct an open church service.
The service commenced at 12p.m with praise and worship songs. Chairman, Democratic Socialist Movement in the state, Mr Alfred Alagbe, read the Bible Scriptures from Gen. 41:13 and Matthew 21:9-11.
Alagbe, a lawyer, also led the praise and worship session of the service.
In a sermon, Chairman, Democracy Vanguards, Mr. Emmanuel Olowu, talked about the essence of “good leadership and followers.” According to him, both are synonymous with the country’s current predicament.
Olowu said Nigerians from different religious backgrounds “must come together to support the cause of entrenching good governance.”
At the end of the service at about 12:27p.m, the protesters continued with the protest, chanting solidarity songs and demanding an end to bad governance.
One of them, Mr Sayo Ogunleye, called for the involvement of all Nigerians in the protest “to ensure that their demands are met within the days of protest.”
Mr. Ajala Adetunji, Osun Coordinator of Coalition of Concern Nigeria Citizens, the group spearheading the protest, said the presidential appeal would be reviewed by all involved in the protest. “The protest is not a one man show, especially in Osun. The presidential address this morning did not address any of our concerns. The president was not specific on what the government will do to address the demands of the youth.”
Waheed Lawal, chairman, Osun People’s Coalition Society, whose group is also part of the protest, said the leadership of the various groups involved in the protest would have to meet to decide on what to do following the appeal by Mr President.
“The protest is an all-Nigerian protest and Nigerians have to decide what the next course of action will be. However, I feel that the demands of Nigerians and the protesters were not addressed by the president but the masses will decide what will be done next,” he said.
At Agho junction on Ekehuan Road, Benin City, protesters barricaded the road and mounted plastic chairs on the road where they conducted Church service clapping, singing and dancing while praising God and calling for end to bad governance as they prevented vehicles from plying the road.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), coordinators of the protest in Edo, on Friday readjusted the protesting time to between 8 am and 4 pm daily to enable traders open their businesses to customers.
Yesterday, there was no protest at the King’s Square, the official designated venue for the protest while there were no blockades on the Benin-Agbor road and Ramat Square which were usually manned by protesters, even as Soldiers in convoy were seen patrolling the major roads to clear any barricade by protesters.
Coordinator, Edo State Civil Society Organisations, Agho Omobude said the protest is for 10 days and would continue as the President failed to address the protesters’ demands.
Similarly, protesters in Plateau State ignored Tinubu’s plea to suspend their agitation yesterday.
Emmanuel Sung state that the youths held an interdenominational service held at the protest ground in Jos, Plateau State, stating that the protest will go on immediately after the Christian church service.
Mr. Dung, a student of the University of Jos, described the national broadcast of President Tinubu as a slap to the Nigerian youths. “It is day 4 of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest and despite President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday morning broadcast, protesters have again converged here at the popular Old Airport runabouts and this time to hold an inter-denominational Sunday service to pray for the nation, particular Government policies.
The service aims to unite citizens in their call for policies that benefit all Nigerians, promoting a sense of collective purpose and shared responsibility.
“I know that the same thing is going on across Nigeria and Abuja. The protesters insist that President Tinubu’s Sunday morning broadcast is an insult to the Nigerian youth and does not address the concerns raised”, he said.
However, a coalition of youths in Plateau State has announced the suspension of the 10-day protest against economic hardship in the country.
They said they were suspending the protest from Monday to Tuesday to allow for dialogue with the Federal Government.
Spokesman of the coalition, John Enoch Vilrat, at a press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre in Jos last night, said the coalition denounced the use of the Russian flag during the protest. He said it did not represent their views and vision of the protesters.
The youths vowed to resume their protest if no concrete steps were taken to address the demands of the protesters.
However, the popular Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos was desolate as some suspected hoodlums reportedly stormed the place and chased away protesters who had gathered to demand an end to bad governance.
The disruption occurred after some leaders of the protest movement had withdrawn from the demonstration, following the national broadcast calling for dialogue.
According to eyewitnesses, a faction of protesters had opted to continue the demonstration despite the withdrawal of some leaders. However, their efforts were thwarted when the hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons, suddenly appeared and forced the protesters to disperse in different directions.
Earlier in the day, Nigerian Police officers, led by an Area Commander, had appealed to the protesters to stand down and give peace a chance, following the President’s broadcast. However, their efforts were unsuccessful, as the hoodlums’ intervention led to a chaotic scene, with protesters fleeing for safety.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of protesters exercising their constitutional rights, as well as the potential for external forces to disrupt peaceful demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has applauded President Bola Tinubu for his national address urging protesters and organizers to suspend further protests and embrace dialogue.
This is even as it has urged all stakeholders to heed the President’s call for dialogue, saying “Open and constructive conversations are essential to addressing the underlying causes of unrest and finding sustainable solutions.”
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organization acknowledged Tinubu’s recognition of the grievances driving the protests and his commitment to listening to and addressing Nigerian citizens’ concerns.
CISLAC commended Tinubu emphasis on the need for unity and collective effort in reshaping the nation’s future, calling on all Nigerians, irrespective of age, political affiliation, tribe, or religion, to work together for a better Nigeria.
“CISLAC stands firmly with the demands for justice and reform for the administrative justice system and improved governance as it will ensure a just and prosperous nation where peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihoods are enjoyed under a transparent and accountable government.”
Rafsanjani, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Amnesty International Nigeria and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, added that President Tinubu and his appointees must also stop concerted efforts to link the protests and grievances of Nigerians to politics.
“Doing so, is clearly an attempt to divert attention from the reality of deep poverty plaguing millions of Nigerians right now. Rather the government should focus on improving the economy inclusively”, the organisation said.
CISLAC said it appreciates President Tinubu’s unequivocal stance against ethnic division and threats, underscoring their incompatibility with Nigeria’s aspirations.
The organisation emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, law, and order while upholding human rights in line with international conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory. “The safety and security of all Nigerians are paramount.”
Rafsanjani called on Nigeria’s security operatives to heed the President’s call for respect for human rights, ensuring that peace, law, and order are maintained in accordance with these principles.
“The President must also give a clear directive to the security agencies not to engage in human rights violations,” it appealed.
CISLAC said it remains committed to supporting these efforts and contributing to the realization of a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Nigeria.
