#EndBadGovernance: Ezekwesili Calls on Tinubu, to Address Citizens’ Demands Of Protesters

Former Minister Outlines Three-Point Action Plan to Tackle “Bad Governance” in Nigeria

In the wake of widespread protests across Nigeria against the ongoing economic crisis and “bad governance,” former Minister of Education Obiageli Ezekwesili has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu and the 36 state governors, urging them to take immediate action to address the citizens’ grievances.

The nationwide demonstrations, which have entered their sixth day, have seen Nigerians from all walks of life take to the streets to voice their frustrations over the worsening living conditions in the country. Ezekwesili, a renowned activist and co-founder of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, has criticized the government’s “orchestrated efforts to shut citizens up, threaten, taunt, and brutalize them” in response to the protests.

In a series of posts on her X (formerly Twitter) handle, Ezekwesili outlined a three-point action plan for Tinubu, the governors, and other political leaders to swiftly address the protesters’ demands and restore public trust.

Engage Directly with the Protesters

Ezekwesili called on Tinubu, the governors, and members of the National Assembly to immediately “go out to their Protest Grounds across the Country and ENGAGE your Citizens.” She emphasized the need for the leaders to “hear them express their Demands to you directly” instead of “locking yourselves away behind the High Gates of your publicly-funded State and Government houses enjoying indulgent lives while your Citizens are out there crying out in pain from the severity of economic hardship induced hunger and anger.”

Listen, Engage, and Persuade
The former minister urged the political leaders to adopt a listening and engaging approach, stating: “Listen. Listen. Listen. Engage. Engage. Engage. Persuade with Factual Counterpoints.” She emphasized the importance of presenting a “Convincing Plan of Action to Address their Short-term grievances” and acknowledged the need for a comprehensive “Reset of Nigeria” to address the

Deeper structural problems.

Facilitate a National Conversation on Governance
Ezekwesili called on President Tinubu and the National Assembly to seize the “Golden Moment of Opportunity” presented by the current crisis to initiate a “credible National Conversation focused on the Most Effective Structure and Direction for Good Governance at all levels for productivity, competitiveness, prosperity, justice, equity, equality, order, peace, harmony, stability and resilience.”
The former minister’s statement comes as the nationwide protests show no signs of abating, with demonstrators demanding urgent solutions to the country’s economic woes, including skyrocketing inflation, fuel scarcity, and widespread poverty. The government’s response, which has included attempts to quell the protests, has been widely criticized by civil society groups, human rights organizations, and the international community.

As the political leaders face mounting pressure to address the citizens’ concerns, Ezekwesili’s call for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to governance reform could prove crucial in charting a path forward and restoring public trust in the government.