By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, has expressed concerns regarding President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast, stating that he failed to address the demands of ongoing protesters across the country.
In a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, the President addressed the nation amid #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, which began on August 1.
Protesters have made several demands, which include a return of fuel subsidies, improvements in living standards, cuts in the cost of governance, reduction in electricity tariffs, and solutions to escalating insecurity, among others.
In a statement issued via his X handle on Sunday, Momodu said he had little hope of Tinubu granting some concessions to the protesters, adding that he was shocked by the presidential speech.
The social commentator and politician stated that it would be difficult for Tinubu to change a winning formula that has worked for him ever since he was the Governor of Lagos State.
Momodu asserted that it was wishful thinking that the President was going to listen to the protesters and have mercy on hapless and helpless Nigerians.
He wrote, “Fellow Nigerians, good morning. After the long-awaited speech of President Bola Tinubu eventually came this morning, I’m sure most of you would be as stupefied as me.
“I must confess that I had little hope of Tinubu granting some concessions to the aggrieved Nigerians. As a man who has held an iron grip on Lagos State for the last 25 years, it would be difficult for him to change a winning formula that has worked for him ever since.
“Also, what did we expect his advisers to be telling him when most of them have been his most fanatical cronies from Lagos who have learnt never to challenge the master?
“So it was merely wishful thinking on the part of incurable optimists like me to think he was going to have mercy on hapless and seemingly helpless Nigerians.”