Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast on the #EndBadGovernance protests as empty and lacking credibility.
Atiku, in a statement by his media aide, Paul Ibe, said the broadcast allegedly failed to address the pressing economic hardship confronting Nigerians since the inception of his administration.
President Tinubu, in a national broadcast on Sunday, called for an end to the #EndBadGovernance protests that have disrupted socio-economic activities across the country since 1 August, saying the government has heard the complaints of the protesters “loud and clear.”
Nevertheless, the former Vice President stated that, contrary to expectations, President Tinubu neither responded to the demands of the protesters nor presented “groundbreaking reforms”, especially those aimed at reducing the high cost of governance in the country.
Atiku said: “His speech neglects the pressing economic hardships that have besieged Nigerian families since the very beginning of his tenure.
“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.”
