Tinubu's Presidential Address Fell Conspicuously Short Of Protest Management - Wole Soyinka

Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka criticized President Bola Tinubu's recent nationwide address for failing to address the violent response by security agencies to #EndBadGovernance protesters.

In his statement on Sunday, Soyinka highlighted that the ongoing protests, now in their fourth day, reflect worsening economic conditions and governance issues in the country. He was particularly troubled by the government's inadequate response, noting that Tinubu's speech did not sufficiently address the problem of using live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators. Soyinka also criticized the misuse of tear gas and emphasized that hunger marches should not be met with violence.

He compared the current situation to oppressive actions from the colonial era and urged security forces to adopt more humane approaches, citing the non-violent handling of protests by the Yellow Vest movement in France as an example.

Soyinka called for an end to lethal responses and suggested that modern protesters might use songs from Hubert Ogunde's "Bread and Bullets" to remind the nation of its colonial past and inspire a change. He stressed the need to break the cycle of violence to prevent further unrest and potential revolutions.

Soyinka expressed disappointment that the presidential address did not adequately address the management of protests, leading to continued impunity and deepening national resentment.

As per The Sahara Reporters, he remarked, "My primary concern, quite predictably, is the continuing deterioration of the state's seizure of protest management, an area in which the presidential address fell conspicuously short."