President Bola Tinubu has appealed to protesters to suspend any further demonstrations and create room for dialogue.
The protests, tagged #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria, have led to thousands of Nigerians across the nation taking to the streets to decry the government’s policies and the escalating cost of living, which has severely impacted the populace.
The country is currently battling high inflation and a tumbling naira after Tinubu ended a fuel subsidy and liberalised the currency more than a year ago in reforms the government says will improve the economy in the long term.
Tinubu, in his address to the nation on Sunday, noted the need for peaceful resolution of grievances, saying that “Nigeria requires all hands on deck” to work together in reshaping the nation’s destiny.
The president noted that he addresses the nation with “heavy heart and a sense of responsibility,” as he is aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some states.
He, however, urged protesters and organizers to halt further protests, citing the need to prevent further loss of lives, destruction of public facilities, and looting of businesses.
Tinubu said, “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.
“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.”
