Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to pay attention to the ongoing protests across Nigeria, which are driven by widespread hunger and economic hardship.
Over the past two days, citizens have taken to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction with government policies.
In a statement posted on X, Atiku commended the largely peaceful conduct of the protesters and praised their restraint and dedication.
He emphasized that these demonstrations have provided an essential platform for public dissent and dialogue about governance.
Atiku also urged security agencies to focus on isolating the minority who are resorting to violence and looting, and called for a more professional approach to managing the protests. He criticized reports of police brutality and the assault on journalists, stressing that the actions of a few should not overshadow the peaceful majority.
Atiku further implored the government to listen to the people’s grievances and respond with integrity and urgency, warning that continued unrest could have severe consequences for the nation.
In his words: “The commencement of public protests across the country yesterday is noteworthy. These demonstrations have opened a vital channel for the public to express disapproval of government policies, furthering the essential conversation about good governance in our nation.
“For the most part, protesters have conducted themselves with admirable peace and must be commended for their restraint and dedication. However, in some isolated instances, there have been reports of violence, leading to regrettable clashes and brutalities by the police.
“I urge the protesters to maintain their peaceful stance and call on more Nigerians to show solidarity and support for the #EndBadGovernance peaceful protest. This is a pivotal moment for our collective voice to be heard, and it must be done with dignity and respect for the law.
“I also call on the police to engage more professionally in managing these protests. The needless killing of innocent citizens by security agencies is unacceptable. The police must refrain from the molestation of journalists who are merely reporting on the protest. It is imperative that security agencies exercise restraint while enforcing law and order.
“Security agencies are encouraged to identify and isolate the minority elements who are resorting to violence and looting, ensuring that the actions of a few do not tarnish the majority of peaceful protesters.
“To the government, I admonish you to heed the voices of the people and come down from your high horses. It is time to demonstrate a sincere commitment to addressing the demands of the protesters. The nation cannot afford further days of unrest; let this be the moment where leadership listens and acts with integrity and urgency. -AA”
