The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed disappointment and concern over President Bola Tinubu’s recent national address. The forum, led by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, criticized the President for not addressing the severe security issues plaguing the North-West and other northern regions. This statement follows the ongoing #Endbadgovernance protests, which have heavily affected states like Kaduna, Katsina, and Kano.
In a statement signed by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the NEF highlighted the lack of mention of the escalating banditry, kidnapping, rape, and other criminal activities devastating the northern areas. The NEF was dismayed that the President did not acknowledge the humanitarian disaster these criminal activities have caused, with millions displaced and hundreds of thousands of orphans facing hunger and malnutrition.
The statement read:
"The President’s speech did not acknowledge the struggles of the North-West and other affected regions, nor provide reassurance or concrete plans to alleviate the security challenges. The NEF had high hopes for the President’s speech, expecting that he would address the dire humanitarian disaster that criminal activities have brought upon our nation."
The NEF called on President Tinubu to prioritize the security and safety of people in the northern region and take decisive action to address the root causes of the escalating violence and criminal activities.
Attacks on Protesters in Lagos
On Monday, protesters in Lagos decried an attack by suspected hoodlums at the Alausa venue of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. Despite President Tinubu’s Sunday address urging protesters to suspend their action and embrace dialogue, the protests continued, with organizers insisting that the President did not address their demands, including the reversal of fuel subsidy removal and increased electricity tariffs.
Videos recorded at Alausa showed protesters fleeing the grounds after hoodlums pushed them from behind. A protester identified as AyoDaReporter accused the police of colluding with thugs to disrupt the protest. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the police were not aware of the attack.
Ongoing Protests Across Nigeria
In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the hunger protests continued with youths burning tyres and vowing to complete the 10-day protest cycle. Protesters blocked sections of roads and expressed anger that President Tinubu’s broadcast did not address their demands.
In Osogbo, Osun State capital, the protest continued with demands for free education. Protesters criticized the Federal Government’s student loan initiative and called for bursaries and unemployment allowances for youths.
Kola Ibrahim, speaking on behalf of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, outlined their demands, stating, "We are saying the government should revert the fuel price. We want free education. The student loan they have introduced is nonsense. Everywhere they have implemented student loans in the world has led to monumental suffering. We are demanding that all unemployed youths must be given unemployment allowances. Nigeria is abundantly rich to feed itself."
These nationwide protests underscore the growing frustration among Nigerians over economic hardships and inadequate governmental responses to their plight.
