Hardship: We’re thinking, not bad govt — Presidency

Despite affirming Nigerians’ right to peaceful protest, the Presidency has condemned the organizers of the August 1 protest, asserting that the issue is not one of poor governance but of thoughtful leadership.

Mr. Tunde Rahman, Senior Special Assistant on Media to President Bola Tinubu, emphasized that while President Tinubu acknowledges existing challenges, these are being addressed. Speaking at the Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture 2024 in Lagos, Rahman described the current economic difficulties as a global phenomenon rather than a Nigerian-specific issue.

He stated, “Our citizens have the right to protest, but the organizers of this protest remain unidentified and faceless. It is crucial to be cautious of the motives behind these calls for protest. While our economy faces difficulties, this is a global issue affecting many countries.”

Rahman continued, “The President is committed to tackling these challenges. The protest’s claims of bad governance are misplaced; we have a government that is actively engaged in problem-solving. Some of the measures being implemented will yield results over time.”

He appealed for understanding and restraint, urging people to recognize that policy changes require time to produce results and to avoid actions that may exacerbate the situation.