• Tinubu’s Speech Didn’t Address Brutal Crackdown On Protesters - Soyinka
• Tinubu’s Speech Diversionary, Fails to Address Issues - PDP
• SERAP Asks Commonwealth To Sanction Nigeria Over Attacks On Journalists, Protesters
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
David Arin, Plateau
DAILY COURIER - In the wake of violent protests across Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the nation on August 4, 2024. The speech sought to address the underlying issues fueling the unrest and outline the government's response. Let's analyze the key points of Tinubu's address to distinguish the substantive actions from political rhetoric.
Acknowledging the Crisis
Tinubu began by expressing his sorrow over the violent protests and the loss of lives in several states. He specifically highlighted the participation of young Nigerians, emphasizing their desire for a better future. This recognition of youth aspirations is crucial, as it acknowledges the frustrations driving the protests.
Call for Dialogue and Warning Against Violence
The President urged protesters to suspend further demonstrations and engage in dialogue. He emphasized the need for unity and warned against those exploiting the situation for political gain, stating that the law would deal with individuals inciting ethnic bigotry and threats. This dual approach of calling for peace while warning against divisive elements aims to stabilize the situation without ignoring the potential for manipulation by certain groups.
Economic Reforms and Their Justification
Tinubu defended his administration's controversial economic decisions, such as removing fuel subsidies and abolishing multiple foreign exchange systems. He argued that these measures were necessary to halt decades of economic mismanagement and stabilize Nigeria’s economy. He highlighted the increased government revenues and reduced debt service as signs of progress. While these steps are painful in the short term, Tinubu contends they are essential for long-term growth.
Infrastructure and Economic Initiatives
The President outlined various infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which aim to boost economic output and create jobs. He also mentioned the resurgence in the oil and gas industry and the launch of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative to reduce transportation costs and curb inflation. These projects are presented as tangible evidence of the government's commitment to economic development.
Social Programs and Support for Youth
Tinubu detailed several social programs aimed at supporting Nigeria's youth, including a student loan scheme, the Consumer Credit Corporation, and the Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDiCE) program. He lamented the vandalism of a digital center in Kano during the protests, which he used to underscore the counterproductive nature of violent demonstrations. These initiatives are designed to empower young Nigerians and reduce the economic pressures that contribute to social unrest.
Commitment to Governance and Transparency
The President reaffirmed his commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability. He pointed to fiscal improvements and the government's efforts to clear foreign exchange obligations and increase financial freedom. Tinubu's administration is also focused on providing incentives to farmers, enhancing food production, and reducing tariffs on essential goods to lower prices.
A Call for Unity and Progress
Tinubu's speech concluded with a call for unity and a collective effort to build a brighter future. He urged Nigerians to choose hope over fear and progress over stagnation, emphasizing that the government is working hard to deliver concrete results.
Tinubu’s Speech Didn’t Address Brutal Crackdown On Protesters, Says Soyinka
But in a statement on Sunday, Soyinka specifically criticised the steps reeled out by the President since the protests started.
“His outline of the government’s remedial action since inception, aimed at warding off just such an outbreak, will undoubtedly receive expert and sustained attention both for effectiveness and in content analysis. 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,” Soyinka said.
To Soyinka, the “nation’s security agencies cannot pretend unawareness of alternative models for emulation, civilized advances in security intervention”.
“Such short-changing of civic deserving, regrettably, goes to arm the security forces in the exercise of impunity and condemns the nation to a seemingly unbreakable cycle of resentment and reprisals.
“Live bullets as a state response to civic protest – that becomes the core issue. Even tear gas remains questionable in most circumstances, certainly an abuse in situations of clearly peaceful protest. Hunger marches constitute a universal S.O.S., not peculiar to the Nigerian nation. They belong indeed in a class of their own, never mind the collateral claims emblazoned on posters.
“They serve as summons to governance that a breaking point has been reached and thus, a testing ground for governance awareness of public desperation. The tragic response to the ongoing hunger marches in parts of the nation, and for which notice was served, constitutes a retrogression that takes the nation even further back than the deadly culmination of the watershed ENDSARS protests.
“It evokes pre-independence – that is, colonial – acts of disdain, a passage that induced the late stage pioneer Hubert Ogunde’s folk opera BREAD AND BULLETS, earning that nationalist serial persecution and proscription by the colonial government,” he said.
SERAP Asks Commonwealth To Sanction Nigeria Over Attacks On Journalists, Protesters
Reacting to the development in its appeal on Saturday to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, SERAP urged Ms. Scotland to “apply the Commonwealth Charter to press the Nigerian authorities to promptly, thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently and effectively investigate reports of attacks on journalists covering the protests in Nigeria and on peaceful protesters.
“Press the Nigerian authorities to publish the outcome of any investigation and to hold suspected perpetrators to account and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for the affected journalists and peaceful protesters for any violations of domestic law and international standards.
“Press the Nigerian authorities to uphold the rights of journalists to monitor and report on protests and ensure their safety, as well as ensure that journalists are not detained, threatened, attacked or restricted when covering noteworthy events of interest to the public, such as protests.”
In the appeal dated August 3, 2024, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The targeting of journalists with lethal or less-lethal force for doing their work is prohibited under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law and contrary to best law enforcement standards.
“Those violating such standards must be subject to accountability and disciplinary processes. The Commonwealth should take a clear stand to ensure accountability of institutions, media freedom and peaceful assembly in Nigeria.”
The Urgent Appeal, copied to Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; and Mr Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, read in part: “The Nigerian authorities, over the years, have repeatedly demonstrated that it is not committed to protecting human rights.
“Respect for Commonwealth values is essential for citizens to trust Commonwealth institutions. The Commonwealth ought to take a strong stand for the protection of human rights and media freedom in Nigeria, principles which are fundamental to the Commonwealth’s integrity, functioning and effectiveness of its institutions.
“Nigerian authorities have the legal obligation to protect journalists reporting the news, including covering protests. Nigerian authorities also have an obligation to investigate and punish any violation that occurs within the framework of a public demonstration including attacks on the press.
“The Commonwealth Charter and declarations recognise media freedom and the inalienable right of individuals to participate in democratic processes, in particular through peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly, access to information, and media freedom, which apply both offline and online.
“Any peaceful protesters and journalists detained solely because of their exercise of the right to peaceful assembly and covering the protests should be immediately and unconditionally released.
“Law enforcement officers should only resort to force in ‘exceptional’ circumstances. Any use of force must only be the minimum amount necessary, targeted at specific individuals, and proportionate to the threat posed.
“The restrictions on the use of force, including against journalists covering protests are even more important when security agents use lethal force such as firearms.
“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights contain language protecting the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
“Nigerian authorities have the obligation to consistently promote a culture of accountability for law enforcement officials during protests. Any use of force must be investigated to determine whether the force was necessary and proportionate.
“Nigerian authorities have an obligation to investigate effectively, impartially and in a timely manner any allegation or reasonable suspicion of unlawful use of force or other violations by law enforcement officials in the context of protests.
“The presence of journalists in protests promotes transparency and accountability and can deter the commission of such violations and abuses. To assume such a role, journalists have the right to observe, and by extension monitor, protests and to record reactions to protests by officials or other actors.
“Journalists play an essential watchdog role covering protests. Nigerian security agents have the duty to ensure the safety of journalists who are covering protests and to guarantee the right of the public to seek and receive information about these social mobilisations.
“Nigerian authorities must afford journalists the highest degree of protection in order for them to perform their work freely. This obligation includes both the duty to avoid the use or threat of force against journalists and to protect journalists against third-party violence.
“The confiscation, seizure, and/or destruction of notes and visual or audio recording equipment of journalists without due process should be prohibited and punished.
“Even if an assembly is declared unlawful or is dispersed, that does not terminate the right of journalists to monitor protests. Nigerian authorities have a legal obligation to adequately compensate journalists for any damaged equipment.
“According to the UN Special Rapporteurs and Human Rights Committee, the right to peaceful assembly is an individual right, not a collective right, and must be treated as such. Any isolated act of violence by some participants must not be attributed to other participants in the assembly.
“According to our information, security agents attacked journalists and some peaceful protesters in Abuja and other parts of the country. Security agents reportedly tear gassed and shot at journalists and peaceful protesters, chasing and shooting at fleeing journalists.
“According to reports, bullets pierced a Premium Times reporter’s car conveying journalists out of the location at three different locations in Abuja. Journalists inside the car shot by security agents are those of The PUNCH, The Cable, Premium Times, and Peoples Gazette.
“Also, a commuter vehicle’s glass was reportedly shattered with bullets. These journalists visibly identified themselves as press. Security agents also reportedly arrested a freelance journalist, Ayoola Babalola and some peaceful protesters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Saturday.
“Over 50 journalists have been reportedly arrested simply for covering the protests. Journalist Abdulqudus Ogundapo reportedly said he was scared for his safety when caught in the gunfire.
“On Thursday, some law enforcement officials reportedly abducted and carted away the camera and phones of The PUNCH photojournalist, Kayode Jaiyeola. On Friday, in the Federal Capital Territory, police officers reportedly fired teargas at journalists covering the protest at the Berger roundabout.
“In Borno State, nine Radio Ndarason Internationale staff members were reportedly arrested by security officials in Maiduguri, as they were covering the protests.”
Tinubu's speech is a mix of genuine policy commitments and political assurances. The economic reforms and infrastructure projects mentioned are substantial and have the potential to drive long-term growth. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on effective implementation and the government's ability to address the immediate hardships faced by Nigerians.
The call for dialogue and unity is essential, but it must be accompanied by genuine efforts to engage with protesters and address their grievances. The warning against violence and exploitation by political elements is pertinent, yet it should not overshadow the legitimate concerns of the youth and other protesters.
In summary, while Tinubu's speech contains significant policy initiatives and a call for peace, the government must ensure that these promises translate into real improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians. Only then can the administration build the trust and support needed to navigate this challenging period.
