As the nationwide #Endbsdgovernance protest enters the second day across the country, the main opposition voices and the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, and former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the same election, Atiku Abubakar, have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to show leadership and address Nigerians in order to douse the tension in the land.
Reacting to the protest and the demands of the protesters from his home in Onitsha, Anambra State, Obi said the President should address the nation and attend to the legitimate demands of the people.
Atiku Abubakar, who hailed Nigerians who trooped to the streets in exercise of their constitutional right to protest, said they have shown courage.
While condemning hoodlums who hijacked the protest in some States of the federation, Atiku asked security operatives to be mindful of how they conduct themselves and cease harassment of journalists and reckless shooting.
Obi, referencing to the video showing he was in Abuja on day one of the protest, said “I am here in Onitsha; I can’t be here and be in Abuja,” insisting that the demands of the protesters are legitimate.
But insisting that the protests must be pursued within the law, the former Anambra State Governor said: “My appeal is for the President to come out and address the nation, he is the one the people elected, holding their mandate, and he should not be using aides or appointees to reach the people at such critical times.”
The LP standards bearer also extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the protest, as well as the injured and those who lost their property in the protest.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar tasked the Tinubu administration to come down “from its high horse” and listen to the people.
According to him: “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.
“I urge the protesters to maintain their peaceful stance and call on more Nigerians to show solidarity and support for the #EndBadGovernance peaceful protest. This is a pivotal moment for our collective voice to be heard, and it must be done with dignity and respect for the law.
“I also call on the police to engage more professionally in managing these protests. The needless killing of innocent citizens by security agencies is unacceptable. The police must refrain from the molestation of journalists who are merely reporting the protest. It is imperative that security agencies exercise restraint while enforcing law and order.
“Security agencies are encouraged to identify and isolate the minority elements who are resorting to violence and looting, ensuring 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.”