President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing mounting pressure to reinstate subsidies on electricity and petrol, as civil society organizations in Osun State have warned of the possibility of renewed protests if their demands are not met.
The Osun State Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC), which represents various civil society groups in the state, issued a statement at the conclusion of the official 10-day #EndBadGovernance protest, urging the federal government to take immediate action.
The statement, signed by OCSC Chairman Waheed Lawal, criticized President Tinubu’s recent nationwide address regarding the protests. The coalition expressed its dissatisfaction with the government’s response and warned that young Nigerians may soon return to the streets to demand better governance.
Lawal emphasized the need for the government to implement policies that would alleviate the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, rather than relying on the distribution of palliatives to states. He also called for the release of all detained protesters.
“The #EndBadGovernance protest has officially ended today, but it is disappointing that the president has not addressed the key issues raised by the protesters. President Tinubu spoke without truly listening to the cries of Nigerians who are suffering from ‘ebi n pawa o’ (we are hungry) on a daily basis,” Lawal stated.
“We demand the reinstatement of fuel and electricity subsidies, as their removal has caused significant harm to citizens, leading to hyperinflation, a skyrocketing cost of living, and widespread economic hardship.”
The coalition also demanded the immediate release of all protesters currently in police custody, including those detained during the #EndSARS protests, and called for compensation for the violations of their human rights.
“The OCSC urges the federal government to act swiftly and decisively to prevent further unrest. If the President continues to ignore the demands of Nigerians, we will organize a larger, more disciplined movement of citizens and youth for another round of protests aimed at achieving a better Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
