A COALITION of 18 civil society organisations (CSOs) has challenged President Bola Tinubu to be accountable to Nigerians as the #EndBadGovernance protest across the country has been halted.
In a statement jointly signed by the group, including Accountability Lab Nigeria, Paradigm Initiative, BudgIT Foundation, Global Rights, and Yiaga Africa, the coalition said the President’s speech during the protest failed to address protesters’ demands.
“On Sunday, August 4, Tinubu addressed the nation for the first time amidst the raging nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests. Unfortunately, the President’s address failed to address the core demands of the Nigerian people.
“It is crucial for the government to remember that ‘sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom the government, through this Constitution, derives all its powers and Constitutional & Judicial authority,’ as stated in Section 14(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which also provides that:
“The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government and engagement with citizens based on their articulated needs and demands is imperative if the government is to fulfil one of its most basic functions – ensuring their welfare,” the group said.
It pointed out that despite the President acknowledging some concerns, including investment in agriculture and student loan disbursement, he ignored several key demands.
Some of the demands listed by the coalition include constitutional, judicial, and electoral reforms, the establishment of a living wage, human capital development, protection for farms and farmers, reversing the high cost of living, and making life comfortable.
The ICIR reports that many Nigerians trooped to the streets to protest poor governance and economic hardships caused by Tinubu’s reforms.
The protests were marred with violence, largely caused by the security operatives in places like Lagos and Abuja, where protesters were subjected to tear gas and harassment.
On the fourth day of the protest, the President called on the protest organisers to dialogue with his government, and immediately suspend the demonstration while condemning the attacks on property and lives.
Giving their assessment of each of the protesters’ demands in the manner Tinubu responded to them in his address, the CSOs noted that the citizens had called for measures to reduce the high cost of food through strategies such as food importation, subsidised credits and improvements in logistics and storage.
The coalition said Tinubu in his broadcast claimed that his administration provided incentives to farmers to increase food production at affordable prices, released over 570 billion naira to the 36 states to expand livelihood support, and distributed fertilizers and farming equipment which they said were yet to arrive in the county.
The CSOs noted that the interventions were insufficient as the immediate support needed clarification, adding there was no indication when the impact of such measures would be seen.
The citizens also demanded a reduction in fuel prices, electricity tariffs and import taxes. The President in his response said there would be a removal of tariffs and import duties on foods namely rice, wheat, maize, and sorghum for the next six months. which the CSOs described as a partial response.
The coalition called on the President to take immediate action to end the insecurity, hunger, and corruption by cutting down the costs of governance and demanded an explanation of the short, medium and long-term steps taken to address insecurity.
It also urged the government to progress with its pledge to engage with the citizens and address their grievances.