Youths Continue Hunger Protest in Lagos After Broadcast, Say Tinubu Isn’t Serious

In the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s national address on Sunday morning, a group of #EndBadGovernance protestors gathered near Gani Fawehinmi Park, chanting songs of solidarity and voicing their dissatisfaction with the administration’s response to their concerns.

The demonstrators argued that while the President mentioned various government initiatives in his speech, he failed to address the core issues they have been raising. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, a heavy presence of police and other security personnel was observed in the area.

Earlier on Sunday, President Tinubu had urged the protesting youths to opt for dialogue rather than continuing with the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations. He assured them that his administration remains committed to good governance, despite the socioeconomic challenges facing Nigeria.

Tinubu reiterated that the removal of the gasoline subsidy was a tough but necessary decision aimed at fostering economic reforms. However, many of the young Nigerians who have been protesting since Thursday have listed the restoration of the subsidy as one of their key demands.

The discontent traces back to May 29, 2023, when Tinubu, in his inaugural address, announced the removal of the gasoline subsidy. This led to the price of fuel skyrocketing from around N184 per litre to over N700, depending on the region. Additionally, the government’s decision to unify forex windows caused the naira to depreciate sharply, with the exchange rate plummeting from N700 to over N1,600 per U.S. dollar on the parallel market. This triggered a surge in prices for food and other essential goods, further exacerbating inflation and economic hardship across the country.

The protesters have outlined several demands, including the reinstatement of the gasoline subsidy and a review of the foreign exchange regime. They are also calling for the government to address pressing issues such as food insecurity, unemployment, and what they perceive as excessive spending by those in power. Other demands include a reduction in the size of the President’s cabinet and the overall cost of governance, immediate reforms of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and a renewed commitment to combating political corruption.