In a statement released on Sunday, August 4th, 2025, the United Action Front of Civil Society, a coalition of organized civil society groups, has responded to President Bola Tinubu’s recent address on the ongoing nationwide citizens’ protests.
According to the statement, signed by Olawale Okunniyi, Head of the Coordinating Secretariat, the government’s failure to address these issues has led to growing hardships and sufferings among Nigerians.
The group has reiterated its demands for the government to address the critical issues driving the protests, including the reduction of fuel prices to ₦167 per litre, which was the price before the inauguration of the Tinubu government.
The group emphasized that the protesters are not advocating for the return of the subsidy regime, but rather seeking relief from the high cost of living and economic hardships caused by the current fuel prices.
They also criticized the government’s implementation of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) alternative to fuel, saying it has not been well implemented to satisfy the demands of citizens.
The group suggested that the government should make the conversion process of existing vehicles from fossil fuel to CNG free and easy for Nigerians by creating centers in the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria.
Furthermore, the group called for a genuine process of constitutional dialogue to renegotiate Nigeria’s governance system and constitutional democracy, which they believe has the potential to solve many of Nigeria’s political and economic problems.
They also urged the government to reduce exorbitant electricity tariffs to pre-December 2022 prices, which they say would enhance the prosperity of businesses, especially small-scale businesses in Nigeria.
The statement commended President Tinubu for acknowledging the dissatisfaction of Nigerians about the sufferings and hardships foisted on them by his economic policies.
However, it emphasized that the protesters will not leave the streets until the government takes concrete steps to address their demands and demonstrates empathy and sincerity in addressing the sufferings of Nigerians.
The group urged the government to take immediate action to reduce the cost of governance and address the demands of the protesters, warning that the protests will continue until the government takes concrete steps to address the issues driving the protests.
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