Bauchi Residents Calls on Protesters to Retreat after Tinubu's Broadcast

In the wake of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's nationwide broadcast on August 4th, 2024, residents of Bauchi State have called for a suspension of ongoing protests and urged a shift towards dialogue.

The president's address, which emphasized the need to "stop further bloodshed, violence and destruction," resonated with many in Bauchi who believe that dialogue is now the appropriate path forward.

Olubunmi Adegboye, a resident, expressed support for the president's call, stating, "If people are angry, yes, they have the right to be angry and protest. It is true that everything is costly, but now that the government has listened to their complaints, I think they should allow dialogue to take place."

He added that continued protests might be perceived as having ulterior motives beyond addressing hunger and economic hardship.

Abubakar Idris, a local trader, echoed this sentiment, advising protesters to "retreat, go home, and let the organisers strategise to protect innocent lives." He suggested that the organizers should consider engaging in dialogue with the president to find solutions to the pressing issues.

Suleiman Adamu, a member of the Civil Society Organisation, praised the president for his willingness to engage in dialogue, highlighting that it could make the protesters' voices "useful for the nation."

Similarly, Ismail Raji, another resident, noted that the president's call for dialogue demonstrated his democratic and listening leadership style.

He remarked, "I think one of the things the protesters needed was to get the attention of the government, and now that they have it, let them go for dialogue and discuss with the government."

The president's broadcast also addressed several key issues, including the removal of the controversial fuel subsidy, which has led to massive inflation and economic challenges.

Tinubu outlined measures his administration is taking to alleviate these hardships, such as implementing a new minimum wage and removing taxes and import duties on essential food items and medical supplies for six months.

Despite these efforts, the protests, driven by rising costs of living, corruption, and unemployment, have persisted for three days across Nigeria. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reported that seven people had died during the protests, signifying the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution.