Nigerians tell Tinubu how to #EndBadGovernance

▪︎ Downsize cabinet, reduce cost of governance

▪︎ Fight corruption with all sincerity

▪︎ Stop crude oil theft

▪︎ Reverse harsh economic policies

▪︎ End culture of impunity

▪︎ Fight insecurity, boost agriculture

▪︎ Invest substantially in critical sectors

▪︎ Ensure justice, equity, rule of law

▪︎ Ensure electoral reforms

The 10-day nationwide protest against hunger which kicked off on August 1 ends today but not without casualties. Nigerians who went on the streets across the country demanded an end to the hardship they were going through as a result of unfavourable government policies. They wanted an end to what they called bad governance.

The protest was peaceful in the southern part of the country. But in the north, it was marked with violence resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of property and the governors of some northern states had no choice but to declare curfew to restrict movement and avert further chaos. The nationwide protest may have expired, leaving on its trail deaths and destruction.

The protesters may have left the streets. But Nigerians have not stopped asking for an end to bad governance. They have continued to insist on having good governance in Nigeria.

Eminent Nigerians including lawyers, activists, traditional rulers, academics and political leaders have therefore reflected on the 10-day national protest and agreed that the government must address the concerns of the protesters if we must have peace in the country.

To have good governance, they were unanimous in their call for a reduction in the cost of governance and to revert to the old pump price of petroleum products.

They also argued that there must be transparency and accountability in government activities and the government must be resolute in the fight against corruption. They want the government of Ahmed Bola Tinubu to downsize his cabinet of 42 ministers, hundreds of aides etc.

They are outraged that the government has failed in the fight against crude oil theft which is ravaging the economy.

The government’s failure is also manifest in the insecurity that has chased our farmers out of the farms, resulting in a high cost of food. The opulence of the elite especially those in government and those who have businesses with government is another source of concern that must be put to an end. The critical stakeholders of the Nigerian project also demanded electoral reforms and a return to the parliamentary system of government.

Government must make substantial investments in critical sectors —Femi Aborisade, human right activist

There’s an urgent need for the government to implement substantive reforms to restore public trust. The protests are a clear indication that the Nigerian people have had enough of the corruption, inefficiency and lack of accountability in government.

Government must put an end to the culture of impunity. Government must improve public service delivery by making substantial investments in critical sectors like healthcare, education and infrastructure to meet the basic needs of citizens.

More avenues should be created for citizens to engage with the government and provide input on policy decisions, as democracy requires meaningful public participation. We must eliminate manipulation and ensure the will of the people is reflected in the outcomes.

”New constitution will bring about good governance —Hon Peter Umoh, former federal lawmaker“

The Federal government should set up a Constituent Assembly to make a new constitution for Nigeria.

Only a new constitution will bring about good governance in the country as amendment to the constitution has not moved the country forward despite the billions of naira spent by the National Assembly for such amendments over the years.

When I was in the House of Representatives and the issue of constitution amendment came up I was the only member who spoke against it and I gave cogent reasons for that. I opted for a brand new constitution.