The Nigerian Senate has appealed to the organizers of the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest to postpone their action and give President Bola Tinubu’s administration more time to address their demands.
During an emergency session on Wednesday, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, expressed optimism that the government’s policies will yield the desired results to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. He highlighted several measures already taken by the administration, including the passage of the Minimum Wage Act, the Students Loan Act, and the decision to sell crude oil to local refineries in Naira.
Akpabio assured protesters that the National Assembly is willing to legislate on additional policies that will bring relief to citizens. He urged the organizers to cancel the protest and allow the government to implement the necessary economic reforms for growth.
The Senate’s appeal comes amid growing concerns over the planned nationwide demonstrations scheduled to begin on August 1st. Several state governors and religious leaders have also called for caution, warning that the protests could be hijacked by hoodlums and lead to violence.
The protesters, however, remain resolute in their demands for the government to address the worsening economic hardship, including high inflation, rising food prices, and insecurity. They argue that the administration’s concessions so far are insufficient and have vowed to proceed with the demonstrations.
As the nation braces for the potential protests, the Senate’s call for dialogue and patience reflects the government’s efforts to defuse tensions and avoid a confrontation with the citizens. The success of these appeals will depend on the government’s ability to swiftly implement measures that tangibly improve the living conditions of Nigerians.