News Desk

The Advocate Post: 

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation on Sunday, calling for a suspension of protests against the rising cost of living, proposing this as an opportunity for dialogue. This marked his first public statement since citizens began taking to the streets in frustration last week.

Amnesty International reported that at least 13 people were killed in clashes with security forces on the first day of protests last Thursday. However, police have denied using excessive force and reported seven deaths by Saturday — four from an explosive device during a march in northeast Borno state, two were hit by a car, and another was shot by a guard when protesters looted a shop.

In a televised broadcast, Tinubu appealed for an end to the violence that has erupted in several states since the protests began. He emphasized his openness to dialogue.

“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,”

Tinubu said.

Nigerians have been mobilizing online to organize protests against economic hardship and bad governance, demanding cuts in petrol prices and electricity tariffs among other grievances.

Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has defended his economic reforms, which include a partial end to petrol and electricity subsidies and the devaluation of the naira, as necessary measures to reverse years of economic mismanagement.

He highlighted that government revenues had more than doubled to 9.1 trillion naira ($5.65 billion) in the first half of this year, with 68 percent of revenue now going to debt servicing, down from 97 percent before he took office last May.

The government is also ramping up spending on infrastructure projects, has started a loan scheme for university students, and is building thousands of housing units across Nigeria’s 36 states, the president added.

“But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart”

Tinubu concluded.