Several Civil Society Organizations have expressed their disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, criticizing it for failing to address pressing issues that Nigerians face.
These organizations believe the speech did not focus on critical life-threatening concerns amidst ongoing protests like the #EndBadGovernance and #FearlessOctober1 movements.
Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nnimmo Bassey, pointed out that the President’s speeches over the past two months have not tackled the basic demands of Nigerians.
He said, “In a space of two months, the President has made speeches that do not address the most basic demands of struggling Nigerians, but merely defends unpopular policies.” Bassey highlighted concerns such as the high cost of petroleum products, electricity tariffs, and the floating of the Naira.
Bassey also questioned the President’s proposal for a month-long youth conference, asking, “Who will listen to a month-long conference of the youths when ten days of protest were met with arrests and detentions?”
Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani, urged the President to take governance more seriously, stating, “Citizens are seeking immediate relief from the harsh economic and social conditions they face daily under this administration.” He called for concrete actions that could improve the quality of life for Nigerians and restore the country’s image both nationally and internationally.
Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice, Rev David Ugolor, criticized the President’s speech for downplaying the significance of the protests. He said, “No democracy will function without an enabling environment for citizens to exercise their right to protest.”
Executive Director of Global Rights Nigeria, Abiodun Baiyewu, expressed her dissatisfaction with the President’s self-praise during the speech. She said, “Typical of his speeches, this was not any different. It was full of platitudes, with a lot of self-back-patting.” Baiyewu emphasized that the speech did not reflect the current hardships Nigerians are enduring, including insecurity, hunger, and divisive rhetoric.
The CSOs also voiced concerns over the worsening economic conditions. Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, said, “Despite the administration’s claims of economic progress, the reality is a worsening crisis for millions of Nigerians who cannot afford necessities.” He added that the President’s policies have driven the poor deeper into poverty and left Nigerians struggling with high fuel prices and unemployment.
These organizations urged the government to take immediate action to address the real issues affecting Nigerians, including insecurity, rising living costs, and inequality, rather than offering more promises without clear steps to solve these problems.
