President Bola Tinubu has called for an end to the ongoing nationwide protests against economic hardship, urging demonstrators to suspend further actions and engage in dialogue with the government.
In a broadcast on Sunday addressing the 10-day protests that have rocked several states, Tinubu expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and destruction of property that have occurred.
“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 organizers 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,” he said.
While commiserating with families of those who died during the ongoing protests, Tinubu called for an immediate halt to further bloodshed and destruction, saying he has heard the protesting youths “loud and clear.” “My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, 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.
“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.
“The task before us is a collective one, and I am leading the charge as your President. A lot of work has gone into stabilizing our economy, and I must stay focused on ensuring that the benefits reach every single Nigerian as promised.
“My administration is working very hard to improve and expand our national infrastructure and create more opportunities for our young people.
“Let nobody misinform and miseducate you about your country or tell you that your government does not care about you. Although there have been many dashed hopes in the past, we are in a new era of Renewed Hope. We are working hard for you, and the results will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy. “Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. The economy is recovering; Please, don’t shut out its oxygen. Now that we have been enjoying democratic governance for 25 years, do not let the enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda that will set us back on our democratic journey. FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!” said Tinubu.
He urged the protesters to “suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity.”
The president also issued a stern warning against ethnic bigotry and threats targeting the Igbo people of the South East section of the country that have emerged amid the unrest.
“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,” Tinubu declared.
He added that the nation’s progress requires all citizens to work together “regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides.”
Addressing the root causes of the economic challenges, President Tinubu defended his administration’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy and unify the foreign exchange market, describing these as “painful yet necessary” actions to reverse decades of economic mismanagement.
“For decades, our economy has remained anaemic and taken a dip because of many misalignments that have stunted our growth,” Tinubu explained.
He added that the removal of subsidy and multiple foreign exchange systems was crucial to block “the greed and the profits that smugglers and rent-seekers made” at the expense of the nation’s economy.
Tinubu highlighted some positive economic indicators since implementing these policies, including doubled government revenues and reduced debt service ratios.
He also outlined ongoing initiatives aimed at easing the economic burden on citizens, such as the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) program to reduce transportation costs and the establishment of a Consumer Credit Corporation to facilitate purchases without immediate cash payments.
Tinubu concluded by reaffirming his commitment to delivering good governance and called for patience and understanding from Nigerians.