Broadcast: Tinubu Ignores Protesters Demands, Rehashes Govt Achievements 

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday rehashed the purported achievements of his administration in response to the mass protest over bad governance which commenced on Thursday.

The president’s broadcast did not directly addressed any of the demands of the protesters, which include reversal of fuel subsidy, checking spiralling inflation, food shortages and insecurity.

He however said he has heard the cries of the Nigerian people and understood their pains.

“My dear Nigerians, especially our youths, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens”, Tinubu said in a broadcast to the nation this morning.

“But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart. We must work together to build a brighter future, where every Nigerian can live with dignity and prosperity”.

According to him, a lot of work has gone into stabilising the economy and government will stay focused on ensuring that the benefits reach every single Nigerian.

The President had been criticised for failing to address aggrieved Nigerians ahead of the protest and waiting for days into the demonstrations before doing so.

In the broadcast, Tinubu enjoined the protesters and organisers to suspends any further protest and create room for dialogue.

*I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some of our states.

*Notably among the protesters were young Nigerians who desired a better and more progressive country where their dreams, hopes, and personal aspirations would be fulfilled.

*I am especially pained by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public facilities in some states, and the wanton looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organisers that the protest would be peaceful across the country. The destruction of properties sets us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be again used to restore them.

*I commiserate with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests. We must stop further bloodshed, violence and destruction.

*As President of this country, I must ensure public order. In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart.

*Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity.

“Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation. To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.”