Onyekachi Eze 
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has said it is time for President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate a sincere commitment to leadership by addressing the demands of Nigerians protesting against hardship in the country.
Atiku in a statement issued on Friday, advised the president to come down from his high horse and dialogue with the protesters.
“The nation cannot afford further days of unrest; let this be the moment where leadership listens and acts with integrity and urgency,” he demanded.
The former vice president noted that the demonstration which began on Thursday was “a channel for the public to express disapproval of government policies,” as well as opening a channel for conversation about good governance in Nigeria.
Atiku stated that the protesters, in most cases, have conducted themselves peacefully, but regretted that “in some isolated instances, there have been reports of violence, leading to regrettable clashes and brutalities by the police.”
He urged the protesters to maintain their peaceful stance and called “on more Nigerians to show solidarity and support for the #EndBadGovernance peaceful protest.
“This is a pivotal moment for our collective voice to be heard, and it must be done with dignity and respect for the law.”
The former vice president also called on the police to engage more professionally in managing these protests.
“The needless killing of innocent citizens by security agencies is unacceptable.
“The police must refrain from the molestation of journalists who are merely reporting the protest. Security agencies must exercise restraint while enforcing law and order,” he further advised.
Atiku said security agencies should identify and isolate the minority elements who are resorting to violence and looting, and ensure that the actions of a few do not tarnish the majority of peaceful protesters.
