Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has publicly criticized President Bola Tinubu's recent national address for failing to address the violent crackdown by security forces on #EndBadGovernance protesters.
Soyinka expressed his deep concern over the president's omission of this critical issue, highlighting the dire consequences of police brutality and the potential for escalating unrest.
In his statement, Soyinka condemned the use of live bullets against peaceful protesters, describing it as a "retrogression" that harkens back to colonial-era oppression. He emphasized that such actions only serve to perpetuate a cycle of resentment and reprisals, warning that this could lead to more desperate upheavals, including revolutions.
Soyinka drew parallels with the Yellow Vest movement in France, noting that despite direct confrontations, French police did not resort to using firearms against protesters.
He urged Nigerian authorities to adopt more civilized models of security intervention and to abandon the lethal means currently employed.
The protests, sparked by economic hardship and soaring living costs, have seen hundreds of Nigerians take to the streets. Despite Tinubu's defense of his economic reforms, the public outcry continues, with many feeling that their pleas for relief are met with violence rather than support.
Soyinka's condemnation comes amid reports of at least 14 deaths caused by security forces in the past four days, further fueling the anger and desperation among the populace.
As the nation grapples with multiple security challenges, including Boko Haram insurgency and increasing violence between herders and farming communities, the call for a more humane approach to protest management becomes ever more urgent.
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