By Our Reporter
Nigerians have continued to react over the allegation by the federal government that the 10 day #EndBadGovernance protests embarked upon by the youths were aimed at effecting a change in government.
Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan joined the likes of former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi and other prominent Nigerians in debunking federal government’s stance with regards to the protest.
Speaking at a Christian Youth for Peace Development Initiative forum in Abuja, Onaiyekan said that the youths who came out in their numbers on August 1, 2024 and through the duration of the protests were, contrary to federal government’s view, demanding for improved management of the country’s resources and not, as alleged by the government, targeting any specific individual or administration.
He said, “They simply said they want to end bad governance. We can do better than what we are doing.”
The Archbishop said he understood the impatience of the youth and questioned president Bola Tinubu’s call for patience, given that young people should be proactive rather than passive in matters of governance and as it affects them.
Similarly, other Nigerians have called on the federal government to stop the blame game and work at reversing the policies that have caused hardship to Nigerians, and engage in meaningful dialogue with relevant stakeholders.
The former governor of Anambra State and Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 poll, Mr. Peter Obi, said the nationwide protests was a call on Nigeria’s leaders to reflect deeply on the growing poverty in the country and take steps to address it.
Writing on his X handle yesterday, the LP flagbearer said: “With the #EndBadGovernance protests officially concluded yesterday, I want to once again express my deepest condolences to all who have lost their lives, including the security personnel, during these protests.
“These individuals gave their lives while advocating better governance in our nation. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to all the families who have suffered losses in this struggle. We all share in your grief, as we work together for the betterment of our country.
“May we all find the strength to endure this irreplaceable loss. To those who are wounded and recovering in hospitals and at home, know that our thoughts and prayers are with you for a swift recovery. Your sacrifices for our nation’s cause are deeply appreciated.
“I also want to take this moment to urge all leaders to reflect on the cries of the suffering people and address their legitimate demands. It is crucial for us, the leaders, to urgently address issues that sparked and fueled these protests.’’
Former National Vice Chairman, North-West, of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Salihu Lukman, also spoke in the same vein, describing the nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance as sufficient grounds for impeachment of the President and some state governors.
In a statement in Abuja, recently, Lukman reportedly reprimanded the Tinubu administration for its shoddy handling of the protest.
He decried a situation where the government had resorted to cheap campaign of blackmails with the argument of opposition sponsoring the protests.
Lukman said, “In any event, it is legitimate for the opposition to start working for the defeat of a ruling party once they are unable to justify the confidence of the electorate.
“In fact, ideally, if democratic structures of the country were functionally working, such as political parties and the National Assembly, with what is going on in the country, President Tinubu and many state governors are candidates for immediate impeachment.
“The comatose reality, which has reduced the National Assembly to a rubber stamp, with political parties that are nothing more than leprous fingers, is responsible for the current high levels of frustration and desperation of Nigerians to register their anger through protests.
‘’Combined with a reality where INEC seems to be unwilling to discharge its statutory responsibility of registering new parties that could produce veritable options for legitimate leadership contests in the country, all hopes of democratic change of leadership in the country are fading away,” Lukman declared.
‘’Instead, painfully, elected leaders, including President Tinubu, are grandstanding, behaving basically as colonial overloads who have conquered Nigerians. With a conquest mentality, our leaders have proceeded to demobilize virtually all political structures in the country such that today Nigeria has earned the bad reputation of being a democracy without any functional political party”, he said.