Tinubu failed to address critical issues during broadcast, says Peter Obi

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, says President Bola Tinubu’s speech did not address the issues that triggered the #EndBadGovernance protest.

On Sunday, the president addressed Nigerians amid the ongoing 10-day nationwide protest against economic hardship.

Tinubu asked the protesters to suspend their demonstrations, adding that the efforts of his administration “will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy”.

In a thread on his X page on Monday, Obi said the president’s speech was disconnected from the “harsh realities faced by the people”.

He added that the speech lacked empathy for those who have been injured, arrested, and detained during the protest.

“I must begin by thanking the President for finally addressing the people, albeit belatedly, which might have prevented the unnecessary loss of innocent lives, including those of our security agents,” he said.

“While I had hoped that, in consoling the families of those who lost their loved ones in the protest, he would also show some empathy towards those who were injured, arrested, and detained due to the overzealous and unprofessional conduct of some security operatives, this was unfortunately not the case.

“The President’s address regrettably appeared disconnected from the harsh realities faced by the people and failed to address critical issues that initially triggered the protest.

“It either reflects a lack of awareness among his advisers regarding the scale of anger, hunger, and hardship in the country, or a deliberate choice to disregard it.”

The former governor urged the president to address the cost of governance, high cost of living, tackle corruption, and direct resources effectively.

He also called on the president to declare a war on insecurity, the economy, poverty, unemployment, and the power sector.

“He should begin by addressing pressing issues such as the exorbitant cost of governance, measures to tackle corruption, the high cost of living, and directing resources effectively towards critical areas like health, education, and poverty alleviation,” Obi added.

“I respectfully reiterate that the President should declare a war on insecurity, the economy, poverty, unemployment, and the power sector.

“As is done in other nations during such times, regular briefings, whether quarterly or biannually, from the President are essential to clearly communicate the visible and verifiable measures being taken to revive the nation from its current state of hopelessness, restore hope, and rebuild trust in our country.”