Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the last presidential election, has reacted to the address to the nation made by President Bola Tinubu, saying it failed to address critical issues that initially triggered the nationwide protests.
Tinubu, in his address to the nation on Sunday, appealed to the protesters, who have been on the streets since Thursday, to end the demonstration, saying that “I have heard you loud and clear.”
The demonstrators, driven by grievances over economic hardship, high food prices, and the removal of fuel subsidies, continue to demand changes.
Other demands include immediate reforms of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), along with renewed efforts to combat corruption among politicians.
Reacting to the speech in a statement on his X account on Monday, Obi hailed the president for addressing the people, even though it came late, “which might have prevented the unnecessary loss of innocent lives, including those of our security agents.”
He noted the President’s failure to show empathy towards those injured, arrested, or detained during the protests due to what Obi termed “overzealous and unprofessional conduct of some security operatives.”
The opposition leader, however, said that the “address regrettably appeared disconnected from the harsh realities faced by the people and failed to address critical issues that initially triggered the protest.”
“It either reflects a lack of awareness among his advisers regarding the scale of anger, hunger, and hardship in the country, or a deliberate choice to disregard it. At this point, I strongly advise the President to distance himself from sycophants and surround himself with individuals who will present the unvarnished truth,” he added.
Obi appreciated Tinubu’s condemnation of ethnic bigotry, but called for more decisive action, such as the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for inciting intolerance.
He stated that while the “president’s speech focused on the past, the people are concerned with the present and the future.”
“He should begin by addressing pressing issues such as the exorbitant cost of governance, measures to tackle corruption, the high cost of living, and directing resources effectively towards critical areas like health, education, and poverty alleviation,” the former presidential candidate added.
The former governor of Anambra reiterated that the “president should declare a war on insecurity, the economy, poverty, unemployment, and the power sector.”
He also called for regular briefings from the President, either quarterly or biannually, to clearly communicate the visible and verifiable measures being taken to revive the nation, restore hope, and rebuild trust in the government.
