Protest organisers have stated that they are open to have conversations in response to President Bola Tinubu's recent national speech, which called for an end to protests and a turn towards dialogue. The protests, which began on August 1, have been driven by widespread economic hardship and frustration with government policies.
President Tinubu, in his first public remarks on the demonstrations, acknowledged the pain and frustration fueling the protests.
"I have heard you loud and clear," he stated, emphasizing the government's commitment to addressing citizens' concerns. However, he also warned against those with political agendas aiming to destabilize the nation, asserting that such elements would be resisted by security forces.
The protests have seen instances of looting, vandalism and clashes with security forces, resulting in the deaths of nine protesters as reported by Amnesty International, although this has been denied by Nigerian police. Additionally, four individuals were killed by a bomb during the unrest.
Tinubu's call for dialogue comes amidst accusations of misgovernment and corruption, exacerbated by the removal of gas subsidies and currency devaluation, which have significantly impacted the cost of living. Despite these challenges, Tinubu defended the reforms, stating, "The economy is recovering; please, don’t shut out its oxygen."
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