Nigeria’s President Tinubu Calls for Suspension of Protests

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Sunday urged citizens to suspend ongoing protests against the rising cost of living to allow for dialogue. His first public comments came after a week of unrest, where at least 13 people have been reported dead by Amnesty International due to clashes with security forces. However, police reports confirmed seven deaths, citing various causes, including an explosive device and a fatal shooting during looting.

In a televised address, President Tinubu appealed for calm and reiterated his openness to dialogue. “My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens,” he said.

Also Read: Inspired by Kenya, Anti-Corruption Protests in Uganda Continue

Nigerians have been mobilising online to protest against economic hardship and bad governance, demanding reductions in petrol prices and electricity tariffs among other issues. These protests have seen significant participation, with thousands taking to the streets in cities like Lagos and Abuja, while security forces have used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds.

President Tinubu defended his economic reforms, including the removal of subsidies on petrol and electricity and the devaluation of the naira, as necessary measures to reverse years of economic mismanagement. He highlighted the increase in government revenues to 9.1 trillion naira ($5.65 billion) in the first half of this year, with a reduction in the proportion of revenue used for debt servicing from 97% to 68%.

Despite nationwide protests appearing to have subsided by Tuesday, the government has taken a firm stance against calls for coups. In northwestern states like Kano and Kaduna, some protesters were seen waving Russian flags, prompting a warning from Nigeria’s defence chiefs that such actions amounted to treason.

Defence Chief General Christopher Musa emphasised the government’s position, stating, “We will not relent in pursuing those that have continued to encourage unconstitutional takeover of government or subversion or those ones that are into vandalism or destruction of lives and property.”

The Russian Embassy in Abuja distanced itself from the protesters’ actions, pledging support for Nigeria’s democracy. This comes amid Russia’s growing influence in Africa and its security alliances, especially in the Sahel region.

Political affairs analyst Ahmed Buhari commented on the situation, suggesting that the presence of Russian flags indicated dissatisfaction with Western-backed policies. He called for local authorities to demonstrate better governance to win back public trust.

In response to the protests, Nigerian authorities have arrested approximately 900 demonstrators, including 30 carrying Russian flags. The police and military have enforced curfews in several states to curb the unrest.

As the protests continue, Amnesty International has criticised the excessive use of force by security agencies. The Nigerian government remains under pressure to address the economic challenges faced by its citizens while maintaining order and stability.