Calling on Sunday for a halt of demonstrations against the continuing cost of living issue, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu urged people to build a forum for communication. Since annoyed people started gathering on the streets last week, this was his first public remarks.
On Thursday, the first day of demonstrations, at least 13 persons were reportedly murdered in conflicts with security personnel according to Amnesty International. As of Saturday, the police said, seven individuals had died and denied use too strong force. Two were injured by a car, four from an explosive device during a march in northeast Borno state, and another was shot by a guard while protestors stole from a store.
In a broadcast on television, Tinubu insisted for an end to the bloodshed beginning in various states following the demonstrations. He stressed his openness for discussion.
“My fellow Nigerians, particularly our younger generation, I have heard you clear and unambiguously. “I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our people; I know the suffering and frustration that motivate these demonstrations,” Tinubu said.
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Nigerians have been mostly gathering online to show opposition against poor government and financial difficulty. Among their requests are reductions in power rates and petrol prices.
Having been in power since May 2023, Tinubu defended his economic measures, which included the devaluation of the naira and a partial elimination of petrol and energy subsidies. These steps, he said, are required to undo years of economic mismanagement.
The president observed that while the percentage of income going to debt servicing had dropped from 97% to 68% since he assumed office, government revenues had more than doubled to 9.1 trillion naira ($5.65 billion).
Tinubu further mentioned “we are also ramping up spending on infrastructure projects, starting a loan scheme for university students, and building thousands of housing units across Nigeria’s 36 states.”
Notwithstanding these initiatives, the president underlined the need of preserving harmony and peace in his nation.
But he stressed, “we must not let violence and destruction split our nation.”
Rising costs and declining buying power have made Nigerians even more unhappy with the state of the economy. The government’s move to cut subsidies on fuel and electricity has especially generated controversy since it has increased the prices of basic goods and services.
Beginning last week, the demonstrations see people from many walks of life banding together to express their complaints. Young people have been especially vocal about their dissatisfaction with the present economic policies, so their presence has been rather noticeable in the demonstrations.
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Tinubu’s demand for communication is seen as one of the most crucial first steps towards resolving the problems raised by the demonstrators. Still to be seen, though, whether the government’s programs will be enough to bring the turbulence under control and cause notable change.
As Nigeria negotiates this challenging phase, the need of good contact between the government and its people becomes even more crucial.
Encouragement of honest communication and teamwork helps the nation to overcome present economic difficulties and create a more rich future for all of its people.
