President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast on Sunday has been criticized by analysts, who say he failed to address the pressing issues raised by protesters and completely out of touch with the economic predicament of Nigerians.
The nationwide protests, which have been ongoing for over a week, were sparked by hunger and bad governance.
In his broadcast, Sunday, President Tinubu called for dialogue and understanding of his policies, but analysts say he missed the mark and has shown that his administration is completely disconnected from Nigerians over their horrendous economic plight.
“Tinubu said nothing. He did not address anything as presented by the organizers of the protests,” said Fred Igwe, a public policy analyst based in Owerri.
“He has been talking about conversion kits for CNG vehicles, this loan, this palliative, in the last one year, yet all these have not impacted on the living condition of millions of Nigerians,” Igwe added.
“I think he is oblivious of what people are going through. He seems disconnected from the masses.
“More than half of the population are in serious poverty and this will worsen if he continues with all these economic theories of his,” Igwe said.
Mr John Ken Nwafor, a media relations consultant, told INNONEWS that President Tinubu is oblivious of the fact that Nigerians are frustrated, hungry, and angry.
“Must we die of hunger because roads are being constructed; hospitals being built and local government and state governments receiving more money and all that?” Nwafor asked.
“All the money the Governors have received since feul subsidy was removed, what have they done with it? Has it improved the life of the average Nigerian?” Nwafor added.
“I keep saying it that these measures he has taken has just empowered the rich and made the poor poorer. And this is not acceptable.”
“His story has always been the same. He has not addressed the issues raised by hungry Nigerians,” Nwafor noted.
Zephaniah Onwukwe, a civil servant, argued that the President’s focus on infrastructure development and economic growth has not translated to tangible benefits for Nigerians.
“It is only the living that can enjoy the good things of life.He failed to address issues that affect the people,” Onwukwe said.
He added, “Tinubu merely scratched the surface of the matter.
“And this is what he has been saying in the past one year while hunger continues to ravage Nigerians.”
“This palliative economy he has introduced is not acceptable. All these are economic handouts.
“Students Loan, Sharing of palliatives. Are we refugees in our land? We don’t need all these”
“Nigerians are hardworking people and they need the enabling environment to work and earn and not to be given handouts like palliatives. This is so unfortunate,” he added.
Onwukwe also said, “Unless fuel subsidy is returned and the naira floating policy discarded, there would always be hunger in the land.”
“The floating of the naira is making the federal government get more revenue from crude oil sales at the detriment of the masses of Nigeria,”
“The President’s speech showed his government is disconnected from the realities faced by Nigerians, who are struggling to survive amidst economic hardship” he concluded.