Peter Obi Gives His Verdict to Tinubu's Speech on Nationwide Hunger Protest

Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi has expressed his disappointment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent national address concerning the ongoing nationwide hunger protest.

Obi criticized the speech for failing to address the core issues that sparked the protests, which began on August 1st and are expected to continue until August 10th.

Obi highlighted that the president's address was disconnected from the harsh realities faced by Nigerians. He emphasized that the protesters were demanding action on the mismanagement of public resources, reduction in the high cost of governance, and other pressing national issues.

According to Obi, "Nigerians do not expect the President to solve the nation’s problems overnight, but we do expect a concerted effort to address the mismanagement of public resources, reduce the high cost of governance, and tackle issues like insecurity, corruption, electricity, agriculture, and productivity to set the country on a path to recovery and growth."

In his response, Obi also pointed out that Tinubu's speech lacked empathy towards those injured, arrested, or detained during the protests. He stressed the government's responsibility to protect the democratic rights of protesters while identifying and addressing criminal elements. Obi appreciated Tinubu's condemnation of ethnic bigotry but urged for more decisive actions to foster national unity.

Furthermore, Obi advised President Tinubu to surround himself with truth-tellers rather than sycophants and to focus on alleviating the suffering of Nigerians by addressing critical issues such as insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and the power sector. He called for regular briefings from the president to communicate visible measures being taken to revive the nation.

Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also criticized Tinubu's address, describing it as disingenuous and unconcerned about the country's problems.

Pearse argued that Tinubu's policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and devaluation of the naira, were the root causes of Nigeria's economic woes. He accused the president of using misleading statistics and failing to provide a roadmap for progressive change.

Pearse further noted that Tinubu's speech did not commit to fighting corruption or reducing the cost of governance. He criticized the president's approach to addressing the concerns of students, labor unions, and the general populace, stating that Tinubu appeared more focused on preserving his image as a tough enforcer of the law rather than ensuring the safety and well-being of protesting citizens.