ActionAid Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately address the nation and provide a detailed plan to address bad governance and adopt pro-poor policies.
It disclosed this in a statement by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu on Friday.
“The demands for pro-poor policies are not just valid; they are urgent and necessary. Inflation is crippling livelihoods, and some of the government’s current spending priorities are out of touch with the harsh realities faced by millions of Nigerians,” Mamedu said.
The organisation condemned the recent court rulings restricting protests to specific locations, saying they “set a dangerous precedent that could curtail citizens’ rights to free expression.”
ActionAid Nigeria also expressed concern over the use of tear gas against peaceful protesters and the hijacking of protests by hoodlums, leading to looting and vandalism.
“We are calling on both pro and anti-protesters to ensure their demonstrations remain peaceful and respectful. We also demand that the President urgently and directly address the nation and outline specific measures to tackle the issues arising,” Mamedu said.
The organisation emphasised that the demands of the protesters are simple: transparency, accountability, and policies that prioritize the welfare of the people
The time for action is now. The future of Nigeria depends on responsive, responsible, and people-centred governance. The demands of the #EndBadGovernance protesters are a clarion call for change that must be heeded,” the statement added.
(PUNCH)