Nigeria President Tinubu Addresses Nation, Seeks Calm and Dialogue Over Economic Reforms

President Bola Tinubu urges an end to protests against high living costs and fuel subsidy removal, calling for dialogue to address concerns. Tinubu emphasizes the necessity of recent economic decisions and commits to good governance. Despite the unrest, he rules out reversing the subsidy removal, aiming to rectify economic mismanagement.

President Bola Tinubu has addressed the nation, urging an end to the ongoing protests demanding economic reforms and the removal of fuel subsidies. The protests, which began on Thursday, have seen thousands of Nigerians take to the streets to express their frustration over the high cost of living. In his first public statement since the protests commenced, Tinubu called for dialogue and emphasized the necessity of his government's recent decisions.

"I hereby enjoin protesters and the organizers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity," Tinubu stated in a broadcast on Sunday. He acknowledged the protests have turned violent in some states, contrary to the peaceful intentions of the organizers.

Tinubu justified his government's actions, asserting that they were essential to rectify "decades of economic mismanagement that didn’t serve us well." He assured the public that his administration is committed to delivering good governance and addressing the nation’s economic challenges.

"Yes, I agree, the buck stops on my table. But I can assure you that I am focused fully on delivering the governance to the people – good governance for that matter," he added.

Despite the widespread outcry, Tinubu ruled out reversing the removal of fuel subsidies, a move that has significantly contributed to the public's grievances. The president's appeal for calm and dialogue comes as the protests have increasingly disrupted daily life and sparked incidents of violence in various regions.

The Nigerian public remains divided on the issue, with many calling for immediate relief measures to alleviate the economic burden on ordinary citizens. Tinubu's call for dialogue aims to bridge this divide and find a solution that addresses both the urgent needs of the populace and the long-term economic stability of the nation.