Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast failed to address protester demands – Dele Momodu

Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, has expressed concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s recent nationwide broadcast, criticizing it for not adequately addressing the demands of ongoing protesters across the country.

In his Sunday address, President Tinubu spoke to the nation amid the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests that began on August 1.

Despite the President’s acknowledgment of economic challenges, Momodu noted that the speech failed to meet the expectations of protesters who have called for significant policy changes.

The demonstrators’ demands include the restoration of fuel subsidies, improvements in living standards, reductions in the cost of governance, cuts in electricity tariffs, and solutions to the escalating insecurity in the country. The protests highlight widespread frustration over economic and social issues, with citizens seeking tangible actions from the government to alleviate their concerns.

In a statement issued via his X handle on Sunday, Momodu said he had little hope of Tinubu granting some concessions to the protesters, adding that he was shocked by the presidential speech.

The social commentator and politician stated that it would be difficult for Tinubu to change a winning formula that has worked for him ever since he was the Governor of Lagos State.

Momodu asserted that it was wishful thinking that the President was going to listen to the protesters and have mercy on hapless and helpless Nigerians.

He wrote, “Fellow Nigerians, good morning. After the long-awaited speech of President Bola Tinubu eventually came this morning, I’m sure most of you would be as stupefied as me.

“I must confess that I had little hope of Tinubu granting some concessions to the aggrieved Nigerians. As a man who has held an iron grip on Lagos State for the last 25 years, it would be difficult for him to change a winning formula that has worked for him ever since.

“Also, what did we expect his advisers to be telling him when most of them have been his most fanatical cronies from Lagos who have learnt never to challenge the master?

“So it was merely wishful thinking on the part of incurable optimists like me to think he was going to have mercy on hapless and seemingly helpless Nigerians.”