Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has praised Nigerians who took to the streets to protest against President Bola Tinubu's government.
Atiku, who was the runner-up in the last general election, commended the protesters for their bravery and peaceful demeanor. He highlighted the significance of these demonstrations as a vital channel for public expression against government policies.
"The commencement of public protests across the country yesterday is noteworthy. These demonstrations have opened a vital channel for the public to express disapproval of government policies, furthering the essential conversation about good governance in our nation," Atiku stated.
While lauding the majority of protesters for their peaceful conduct, Atiku condemned the violence that erupted in some areas due to the actions of hoodlums. He also criticized the police for their brutality and harassment of journalists covering the protests.
"I urge the protesters to maintain their peaceful stance and call on more Nigerians to show solidarity and support for the #EndBadGovernance peaceful protest. This is a pivotal moment for our collective voice to be heard and it must be done with dignity and respect for the law," he added.
Atiku called on security agencies to act professionally and avoid unnecessary violence. "The needless killing of innocent citizens by security agencies is unacceptable. The police must refrain from the molestation of journalists who are merely reporting the protest. It is imperative that security agencies exercise restraint while enforcing law and order."
He urged the Tinubu administration to listen to the people's demands and address their grievances sincerely. "To the government, I admonish you to heed the voices of the people and come down from your high horses. It is time to demonstrate a sincere commitment to addressing the demands of the protesters. The nation cannot afford further days of unrest; let this be the moment where leadership listens and acts with integrity and urgency."
Comments