Atiku Challenges Tinubu: Heed the people’s cries or face unrest
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the ongoing nationwide protest against economic hardship as significant and urged the Nigerian government to heed the voices of the people.
He emphasized that it is time for the government to demonstrate a sincere commitment to addressing the demands of the protesters.
Atiku noted that the protest has provided a vital channel for the public to express their disapproval of government policies.
In a post on his X handle on Friday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the last general election commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct and urged security agencies to isolate the minority elements resorting to violence and looting.
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“The commencement of public protests across the country yesterday is noteworthy.
These demonstrations have opened a vital channel for the public to express disapproval of government policies, furthering the essential conversation about good governance in our nation. For the most part, protesters have conducted themselves with admirable peace and must be commended for their restraint and dedication.
However, in some isolated instances, there have been reports of violence, leading to regrettable clashes and brutalities by the police,” Atiku stated.
He called on the protesters to maintain their peaceful stance and encouraged more Nigerians to show solidarity and support for the #EndBadGovernance peaceful protest.
Atiku stressed the importance of conducting protests with dignity and respect for the law.
Atiku also addressed the need for security agencies to engage more professionally in managing the protests and to refrain from molesting journalists reporting on the events.
He emphasized that security agencies must exercise restraint while enforcing law and order and ensure that the actions of a few do not tarnish the majority of peaceful protesters.
“To the government, I admonish you to heed the voices of the people and come down from your high horses.
It is time to demonstrate a sincere commitment to addressing the demands of the protesters.
The nation cannot afford further days of unrest; let this be the moment where leadership listens and acts with integrity and urgency,” Atiku concluded.
Proofreading, editing by Sakinat Musa Abubakar and Maryam Sulaiman, Editor and Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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