Damilola Adenola, Director of Mobilisation at the ‘Take It Back Movement,’ says the nationwide protest against economic hardship may extend beyond 10 days if demands are not met.
The ‘Take It Back Movement’ is one of the organisers of the protest.
Nigerians have taken to the streets since August 1 to rail against bad governance. The demonstrations have been themed ’10 Days of Rage.’
The protesters are demanding a reduction in the size of government, the return of the petrol subsidy regime, food security, fiscal discipline, among other issues.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Adenola said Nigerians are dealing with an irresponsible ruling class.
“The protest, as we said, was slated for 10 days, but it may go beyond that depending on the response we get from the government. However, it doesn’t seem like we are dealing with a responsible government,” he said.
“So, the government should expect it to go beyond 10 days if our demands are not addressed.”
Inibehe Effiong, a human rights and public interest lawyer who was also on the program, said the government has taken the protesters for granted by not listening to their demands.
Effiong said President Bola Tinubu should not just address Nigerians but work towards meeting their demands.
“I think Nigerians should no longer be taken for granted. We cannot continue to live in a country where we have leaders who do not listen to what the people are saying,” Effiong said.
“People claim the president is doing this and he is listening. This protest has lasted for two days now. Has President Tinubu spoken to Nigerians?
“I personally don’t want him to just address Nigerians; I want him to address the demands of Nigerians. It is not the same thing. But has he even addressed Nigerians?
“Forty-eight hours later, over 12 Nigerians have been killed at a minimum. Has the president spoken? Forty-eight hours later, has the government said they want to talk or introduced representatives for dialogue?
“People keep saying the protesters should talk to the government; they say the protesters are faceless.
Who are the representatives of the government if the conversation is to take place? What are the demands of the protesters?
“You say people should leave the streets, but have you listened to them? You have a president with 48 ministers, the highest in the history of our country, at a time when the country does not have money to run and pay for basic services.
“If the president is serious, it shouldn’t take Tinubu one hour to reduce the number of ministers to 27.”
source: The cable ng
