Protesters have reacted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address to the nation, stating that he failed to address their demands.
According to the protesters, the President should address their demands and the current hardship before coming to the negotiation table.
The protest, which started on Thursday, crippled socio-economic activities across the states, as motor parks, shops, malls, markets and roads were deserted.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, one of the leaders of the protesters, Deji Adeyanju said they are willing to engage the government in the coming days.
“This is the only way the protest can be highly successful. We must learn from EndSARS. President Tinubu should listen to the people and meet their demands. The voice of the people is the voice of God.
“There should be a national dialogue with protesters. The president should be sincere. All politicians should be ready to make sacrifices and stop collecting pay. It’s ‘operation saves Nigeria from total collapse,’” Adeyanju said.
According to him, the president’s claim that the protest was politically motivated was wide off the mark.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for a dialogue with the President. The CSOs applauded President Tinubu for his recent address urging protesters and organisers to suspend further protests and embrace dialogue.
The CSOs are Transparency International (TI), Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
Speaking through their leader, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, the CSOs said they acknowledge the President’s recognition of the grievances driving this protest and his commitment to listening to and addressing Nigerian citizens’ concerns.
“President Tinubu emphasised the need for unity and collective effort in reshaping the nation’s future, calling on all Nigerians, irrespective of age, political affiliation, tribe, or religion, to work together for a better Nigeria.
“We stands firmly with the demands for justice and reform within the administrative justice system and improved governance, as this will ensure a just and prosperous nation where peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihoods are enjoyed under a transparent and accountable government,” Rafsanjani said.
