Protesters had urged the President to address the nation and respond to their 15-point demand to call off the protests. However, dissatisfied with the President’s response, the organizers continued their actions at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos, Osun, and Kano, among other states, stating that the nationwide broadcast did not address their demands.
The police restricted the protesters to the designated area at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, preventing them from holding a procession beyond that point.
**President’s Broadcast, Complete Disaster – Adeyanju**
One of the main organizers of the nationwide protest, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, described President Tinubu’s broadcast as a complete disaster. Adeyanju said: “President Tinubu failed to address the protesters’ demands, not even one. It’s very disappointing and unfortunate. Those in the Villa cannot make the President see or hear what is happening in the country. The President did not order the arrest of those who killed peaceful protesters in the past few days, which is really sad. The broadcast was a very disappointing disaster.”
Ajala Adetunji, coordinator of the protest in Osun State, emphasized that the ongoing protest would continue since the President did not address any of their concerns. “The President’s call for dialogue is an open-ended appeal without clear indicators of action. We will deliberate further, but for now, the protest continues in Osun,” he said.
Similarly, Mr. Emmanuel Olowu, Secretary of the Osun Coalition of Civil Societies, mentioned that the President’s appeal for dialogue would be discussed in a meeting of various groups later in the day.
**Protests Continue in Kano**
In Kano, hundreds of protesters continued their action against hunger and bad governance, expressing dissatisfaction with the President’s nationwide broadcast. The state government relaxed the 24-hour curfew by six hours to ease its impact on residents. Protesters were seen displaying the Russian flag and chanting, “whether he (Tinubu) adjusts or not, he must go.”
**Katsina Churches Attacked, Valuables Stolen, Buildings Damaged**
In Katsina, hoodlums hijacked the protest, invading churches, looting, and destroying properties. They attacked the Living Faith Church in Daura, stealing valuables and damaging the building. Similar attacks occurred at Deeper Life Church and Anglican Church, although the extent of damage was unclear.
**Reactions to the President’s Speech**
– **Atiku Abubakar** dismissed the broadcast as a hollow speech, devoid of solutions to Nigerians’ hardships.
– **Prof. Wole Soyinka** criticized the President for not addressing police brutality against protesters.
– **PDP** described the speech as diversionary and insensitive to Nigerians’ plight.
– **Femi Falana, SAN** charged President Tinubu to address the protesters’ demands and condemned the repression of peaceful protests.
– **Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)** expressed disappointment, stating that the President did not listen to the protesters’ demands or address the country’s economic issues.
– **Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)** urged the government to address economic contradictions strangulating the private sector.
– **National Association of Maritime Transport Operators (NAMTOP)** condemned the President’s broadcast, saying it lacked concrete solutions to the nation’s hardship and failed to address unprofessional conduct by security operatives.
