President Bola Tinubu has called for dialogue and an immediate end to the nationwide protests that have rocked the nation since Thursday.
Tinubu, who said his administration is ready to listen to and address the concerns of protesters, affirmed that he has heard their calls “loud and clear”.
“I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity,” he affirmed in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday morning on the #EndBadGovernance protests.
He said the country requires all hands on deck and needs all citizens, regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping its common destiny.
GTN reports that, the 10-day planned protest, which began on Thursday, primarily against the rising cost of living and hunger, deteriorated into violence, destruction of property and loss of lives in many parts of the nation.
Human Rights group Amnesty International has accused security forces of killing at least 13 protesters, while police say seven people died and deny responsibility.
“My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens,” Tinubu said. “But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart,” he added.
In office since May 2023, Tinubu defended his economic reforms, which have included a partial end to petrol and electricity subsidies and devaluation of the naira, as necessary to reverse years of economic mismanagement.
