President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a nationwide broadcast on Sunday addressing the #EndBadGovernance protests that have swept across Nigeria.
He expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in various states, including Borno, Jigawa, Kano, and Kaduna.
The president also lamented the destruction of public facilities and the widespread looting of supermarkets and shops.
In his address, President Tinubu conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of those who have lost their lives during the protests.
He called for an immediate cessation of the violence, bloodshed, and destruction that have marred the protests, which were initially promised to be peaceful by their organizers.
“The destruction of public facilities and the looting of supermarkets and shops are actions that contradict the initial promises of peaceful protests,” President Tinubu stated.
“These acts of vandalism and theft only serve to set us back as a nation. Our already scarce resources will now have to be redirected towards restoring the damaged properties.”
He continued, “I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, fully aware of the turmoil and violent protests that have erupted in some of our states. Among the protesters were young Nigerians who genuinely desire a better and more progressive country, where their dreams, hopes, and personal aspirations can be fulfilled.”
President Tinubu reiterated his deep pain over the loss of lives and the destruction of properties in states like Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, and others.
He stressed that the ongoing destruction undermines the progress of the nation and depletes resources that could be used for development and growth.
“I commiserate with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests. We must stop further bloodshed, violence, and destruction,” he urged.
In closing, President Tinubu called on all Nigerians to come together to end the violence and work towards rebuilding the nation peacefully and constructively.
