LATEST: Stop protests, come for dialogue, Tinubu tells #EndBadGovernance organisers

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday urged protesters in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests to cease demonstrations and create space for dialogue.

The President, who conveyed this in a national broadcast to the people, said, “In a situation like this, I appeal to the demonstrators and the organizers of the action to postpone further protests and provide space for dialogue. I always agree whenever there is an opportunity.”

Protests took place across the country on August 1 to draw attention to the growing hunger and suffering in the country. The protests turned violent in some cities with criminals looting government property.

Police and other security agencies also clashed with protesters who fired live ammunition and tear gas.

There were also reports of killings during the protests. Amnesty International put the death toll at 13, while police said the number was seven.

Responding to the protests, Tinubu said in his broadcast that he was saddened by the “chaos and violent protests that have occurred in some of our states”.

He noted that among the protesters were young Nigerians who wanted a better and more progressive country where their personal dreams, hopes and aspirations would be fulfilled.

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“I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna and other states, the destruction of public property in some states and the wholesale looting of supermarkets and shops, contrary to the promise of protest organizers that the protests would be peaceful across the country. The destruction of property is setting us back as a nation, as scarce resources will be used again to restore it.

“….We must stop further bloodshed, violence and destruction.”

He further stated that his government would not remain silent and allow a few people with a clear political agenda to divide this nation.

Tinubu also confirmed the economic policies pursued by his government so far, especially the elimination of fuel subsidies.

“Exactly a year ago, our beloved country, Nigeria, reached a point where we could no longer afford to continue using temporary solutions to solve long-term problems for the benefit of the present and our unborn generations.

“Therefore, I have taken the painful but necessary decision to eliminate fuel subsidies and abolish the various foreign exchange systems that have become a noose around the economic lifeblood of our country and hamper our economic development and progress.

“These actions check the greed and profits of smugglers and rent seekers. They also check the undue subsidies we have been giving to our neighbors that are hurting our people, and hurting our economy. These decisions I am making are necessary if we are to reverse decades of economic mismanagement that have not served us.”

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