The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s speech to the #EndBadGovernance protesters, calling it hollow and inadequate in addressing the suffering of Nigerians.

As economic hardships intensify, many Nigerians are finding it difficult to afford basic necessities.

In response to these conditions, youths initiated protests on Thursday, which have continued into Saturday, in cities like Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, and other regions, demanding an end to hunger and poor governance.

In his response, President Tinubu, during a Sunday broadcast, urged the protesters to cease their demonstrations.

THE LOUNGE: Hunger Protests - Are Nigerians Overly Dramatic0.00 / 0.00

He explained that his decision to remove the fuel subsidy and unify the foreign exchange systems was necessary to eliminate the exploitation by smugglers and rent-seekers.

Tinubu added that this move also stopped the unjust subsidies benefiting neighbouring countries at the expense of Nigerians, which had severely weakened the nation’s economy.

He emphasized that the Nigerian economy had been stagnant for decades due to numerous misalignments that hindered its growth.

Tinubu said, “Just over a year ago, our dear country, Nigeria, reached a point where we couldn’t afford to continue using temporary solutions to solve long-term problems for the sake of now and our unborn generations.

“These decisions I made were necessary if we must reverse the decades of economic mismanagement that didn’t serve us well.

“Yes, I agree, the buck stops with me. But I can assure you that I am fully focused on delivering governance to the people – good governance, for that matter.”

In a statement on Sunday, Atiku pointed out that President Tinubu’s broadcast overlooks the severe economic challenges that Nigerian families have faced since the start of his administration

He stated, “This address lacks credibility and fails to offer any immediate, tangible solutions to the Nigerian people. Given the extensive publicity surrounding the protests and the threats issued by government officials against demonstrators, one would have expected President Tinubu to present groundbreaking reforms, particularly those aimed at reducing the exorbitant costs of governance.

“But alas, no such announcements were made. The President ignored the protesters’ demands, such as suspending the purchase of aircraft for the President, downsizing his bloated cabinet, or even eliminating the costly and burdensome office of the First Lady, who has been indulging in extravagant trips at the nation’s expense.

“In his lacklustre recorded speech, President Tinubu offered a superficial account of his so-called reforms, revealing his own tenuous grasp of policy as he failed to convince his audience. While the President has spoken, it is unfortunate that his words lack substance and respect for the protesters’ sentiments, leaving Nigerians with little faith in his reform agenda – if one exists at all.


“We urge the President and his team to own up to their failures over the past 14 months and abandon the absurd theory that the protests are orchestrated by the opposition. This administration has failed on all fronts, even in the simple task of keeping a presidential speech confidential.

“Typically, presidential addresses are shared under embargo with media houses. However, the premature leak of this speech, allowing Nigerians to read along with the President in real-time, starkly illustrates the media, nay Nigerians dwindling confidence in this administration.”

https://punchng.com/tinubus-speech-failed-to-address-hardship-atiku/

That speech was as dull and as colorless as a pain in the neck. He didn't address the main issues, did you expect him to? Does he have any sense before?

But my advice is that protests should stop, people should get back to work and get busy till this administration is over in 2031. You can get a job, or sell pure water, if you can't, enter farm, if bandits are occupying your place, go to lagos and join agbero, or use leg trek to Europe or America.

Whatever you do in peace is better than protesting in a useless manner. You didn't protest when the heist was fresh, its now he has cemented himself in the seat that you are jumping around like headless chickens disturbing real business men intent on surviving the next 7 years of suffering.

I support that people should be arrested if they try to protest again tomorrow. They are causing disturbance to the man who is just managing to battle his dementia.

He didn't say anything new, he just told us all the gibberish he has been telling us since he came to power.

His statement was full of fake promises without addressing the protesters grievances,anything different from subsidy is back is completely unacceptable Nigerians are suffering.

Atiku don dey talk again!

But let’s be real, the fuel subsidy removal and forex unification are bold moves to fix the mess we’ve been in for decades.

Instead of criticizing, why not support the efforts to build a stronger Nigeria? Everyone knows change no dey come easy, but Tinubu is trying to set the stage for long-term growth.

In his speech Tinubu never addressed the "Bad Governance", one of the most important issues

There is a reason the protest has been LARGELY loud and violent in Northern Nigeria.

Atiku has also been consistently loud and egging on the violent protesters. I will not be shocked to learn that he is a CHIEF sponsor of the protests.

Might be time for Nnamdi Kanu to get a new roommate.

My problem is Tinubu is corrupt and has so many alikes around him.
Any hope without corruption fight is hopeless

Walahi! Tinubu is a huge huge disappointment. How could he have desired for several years to be the president of Nigeria and failed to understand Nigeria's problems as well as create his roadmap to solving them. How could he think that he could lead Nigeria without a clear roadmap.

So sad that at the present, the two things he has on his plan are imposition of tax and distribution of rice to the States.

Tinubu needs to create a policy Think-tank to brainstorm and create policy and reform ideas because there is no direction at the moment and future looks bleak. Otherwise hunger and hardship situation are likely to worsen unless with dire consequences.

Addendum: One thing that has become clear is that as Lagos State Governor, Tinubu was surrounded by PEERS who could brainstorm to create practical solution to problems like Osinbajo, Banire, Aregbesola, Fashola, etc. But now Tinubu is surrounded by empty-brained WORSHIPPERS who see him as godfather.

Tinubu na name? Abeg let's talk about better things

Namaster:
There is a reason the protest has been LARGELY loud and violent in Northern Nigeria.

Atiku has also been consistently loud and egging on the violent protesters. I will not be shocked to learn that he is a CHIEF sponsor of the protests.

Might be time for Nnamdi Kanu to get a new roommate.

no longer Peter Obi the sponsor?
Where is Bayo onanuga

Atiku don dey talk again, as if him no sabi say na dem dey use hardship take play politics.

This man fit turn any speech into a comedy show.

Maybe him go ask Peter Obi for advice on how to dodge real issues, since na wetin dem sabi pass.

Tinubu must go!!!

Philipponzaghi:
Atiku don dey talk again!

But let’s be real, the fuel subsidy removal and forex unification are bold moves to fix the mess we’ve been in for decades.

Instead of criticizing, why not support the efforts to build a stronger Nigeria? Everyone knows change no dey come easy, but Tinubu is trying to set the stage for long-term growth.

we should support him like he supported Jonathan? Una go get sense Las las.

Ddeliverer007:
Tinubu must go!!!

I'm surprised people found his speech shocking. We told them 'antecedents' matter, they chose propaganda instead. Tinubu is who he has always been (a kleptomanianc and authoritarian democrat). People are only just seeing him for who he is today. If he gets away with this, the next 3 yrs won't be funny for Nigerians.

Na wa o! Atiku dey find trouble where e no dey. Tinubu dey try to fix wetin don spoil for years, but some people just wan make noise. No be small thing to face the aftermath of bad governance.

governors are even the problem not the president. What of all the money the president do give u people to give the masses? Please everybody should ask their governor this question and leave the center alone

Nlfpmod.

Dats because he is EMPTY-HEADED when it comes to Governance.

Tinibu is only clever when it comes to BRIBERY, Sponsoring of ThUGs and STEALING of pple's destinies.

Tinubu has been exposed as an empty vessel
Just over hyped incompetent, dementia


The speech was just prepared and handed over to him to read with knowing the content because even him will be shocked when they later explain the content to him maybe after he might have healed

ATIKU should focus on his own failed promises instead of throwing shade at TINUBU. The real issue is how to unite and uplift Nigeria, not petty politics.

Tinubu's speech was empty

But that's not the disappointment
It's the fact that the time of TV and radio station was wasted on a speech that could just have been given to newscaster to read as part of the news.

The TV channels were better off using that time to air emmanuella comedy series while the radio stations should have just used the time to play one of Mozart's symphonies