Protest: Tinubu’s speech fails to address hardship – Atiku

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s broadcast to the nation on Sunday morning, describing it as a hollow speech devoid of solutions to the hardships facing Nigerians.

Speaking through his media adviser, Paul Ibe, in a statement in Abuja, Atiku said the broadcast, intended to quell the fervour of public protests against his administration’s poor governance, utterly missed the mark.

He said: “His (Tinubu’s) speech neglects the pressing economic hardships that have besieged Nigerian families since the very beginning of his tenure.

“This address lacks credibility and fails to offer any immediate, tangible solutions to the Nigerian people.

“Given the extensive publicity surrounding the protests and the threats issued by government officials against demonstrators, one would have expected President Tinubu to present groundbreaking reforms, particularly those aimed at reducing the exorbitant costs of governance.

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“But alas, no such announcements were made. The President ignored the protesters’ demands, such as suspending the purchase of aircraft for the President, downsizing his bloated cabinet, or even eliminating the costly and burdensome office of the First Lady, who has been indulging in extravagant trips at the nation’s expense.

“In his lacklustre recorded speech, President Tinubu offered a superficial account of his so-called reforms, revealing his own tenuous grasp of policy as he failed to convince his audience.

“While the President has spoken, it is unfortunate that his words lack substance and respect for the protesters’ sentiments, leaving Nigerians with little faith in his reform agenda—if one exists at all.”

He challenged the president and his team to own up to their failures over the past 14 months and abandon the absurd theory that the protests are orchestrated by the opposition.

According to him, this administration has failed on all fronts, even in the simple task of keeping a presidential speech confidential.