Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to listen to the voices of Nigerians protesting against the current hardship in the country.
The protests, which began on August 1, have been marked by both peaceful demonstrations and regrettable incidents of violence, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of property.
In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Friday, Atiku commended the protesters and called on the government to address their demands sincerely.
“To the government, I admonish you to heed the voices of the people and come down from your high horses,” he wrote.
“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.”
Atiku highlighted the significance of the protests, describing them as a crucial means for the public to express their dissatisfaction with 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.”
He also praised the protesters for their largely peaceful conduct.
“For the most part, protesters have conducted themselves with admirable peace and must be commended for their restraint and dedication,” Atiku noted.
However, he acknowledged isolated incidents of violence and urged the police to exercise restraint.
“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.”
Atiku emphasized the importance of allowing journalists to report on the protests without interference.
“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 added.
He concluded by calling on security agencies to focus on identifying and isolating those who resort to violence and looting.
“Security agencies are encouraged to identify and isolate the minority elements who are resorting to violence and looting, ensuring that the actions of a few do not tarnish the majority of peaceful protesters,” Atiku said.
The former Vice President’s remarks come at a critical time as the nation grapples with widespread economic hardship and public outcry for better governance.