Protests: Time to change course, Tinubu urged 

The Executive Director #FixPolitics Africa, Mr. Anthony Ubani, has urged the federal government to change course and do the needful to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

Ubani in a statement said the announcement of a citizens-led #EndBadGovernmentinNigeria protest should have been no surprise given the economic downturn, the hunger, and sense of hopelessness in the country.

“Sadly, the government’s reaction and provocative utterances about the planned protests have reflected a deep disconnect with the people’s reality. Even worse than the disconnection is the attempt to demonise the valid demands of the hungry populace and brand it as the work of opposition parties.

“Resorting to frenzied and alarmist actions, including looking for ways to demonise and discredit the protest, and searching for imaginary sponsors of the protests have only bolstered the courage of the people who fear the loss of their voices and dignity in an oligarchy posing as a democracy.

“Sponsoring individuals, groups, traditional rulers and religious leaders to speak strongly against the protests; getting the Lagos traditional institution to announce a “curious Oro” festival coinciding with the period of the protests; the Attorney General of the Federation going to a “Captured Judiciary” to secure an order of court restricting the protest in Lagos to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and the Peace Park in Ketu; making doomsday scenario references to Venezuela; promising to slash salaries of the national representatives by half for six months, allowing thugs to threaten citizens not to come out for any protest and sundry other clandestine actions underscore a complete lack sensitivity and understanding of the nation’s predicament and the people’s disaffection,” statement charged.

These protests planned from August 1, 2024, provide the impetus and the opportunity for the government to rethink its actions of the past 14 months and make the needed changes, the statement added.