A Critical Analysis of President Tinubu’s Address: Manipulation and Misrepresentation in the Face of Protest.
President Bola Tinubu’s address to the nation amid the “Operation End Bad Governance” protests was laden with rhetoric intended to pacify the populace while subtly shifting blame and manipulating public perception. While the President’s speech ostensibly aimed to address the grievances of the protesters and outline the government’s efforts, it also contained several problematic elements that warrant critical examination.
Emotional Manipulation Through Selective Sympathy
President Tinubu begins his address by expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and destruction of property during the protests. While this appears empathetic, it serves a dual purpose:
1. Positioning the Government as a Victim:
– By emphasizing the destruction of public facilities and looting of shops, Tinubu casts the government and businesses as victims of the protests. This narrative shifts focus from the legitimate grievances of the protesters to the consequences of the unrest.
– The President’s mention of the economic setback due to the destruction implicitly blames the protesters for harming national progress, without addressing the systemic issues that sparked the protests.
2. Broad Brush of Lawlessness:
– By focusing on violent incidents, the President undermines the predominantly peaceful nature of the protests. This tactic creates a misleading perception that equates the entire movement with violence, thereby delegitimizing the protesters’ cause.
– The address ignores the constitutional right to peaceful assembly as enshrined in Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to assemble freely and peacefully to express their views.
Blame-Shifting and Scapegoating
President Tinubu’s speech subtly shifts the blame for the unrest onto “a few with a clear political agenda,” thereby undermining the legitimacy of the protest movement:
1. Delegitimizing Genuine Frustrations:
– By attributing the protests to political agitators, the President diminishes the genuine frustrations of millions of Nigerians. This narrative suggests that the protesters are being manipulated, rather than acting on real grievances about governance and economic hardship.
– This tactic diverts attention from the government’s responsibility to address the root causes of the unrest, such as corruption, lack of transparency, and economic mismanagement.
2. Undermining Credibility of Protest Movement:
– The President’s call for protesters to suspend their activities and opt for dialogue overlooks the history of unfulfilled promises of reform. This approach assumes that the protesters’ demands will be addressed through dialogue, despite previous instances where the government has failed to act on similar promises.
– The suggestion that protests must cease for dialogue to occur undermines the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, as outlined in Section 39 and Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Use of Fear and Threats
The President’s address contains elements designed to instill fear and suppress dissent:
1. Intimidation Tactics:
– The warning that “the law will catch up with you” for those threatening national unity introduces an element of fear. This statement can be interpreted as a veiled threat against protesters, suggesting that dissent will be met with legal repercussions.
– Such threats are contrary to the principles of freedom of speech and assembly, as protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
2. Exacerbating Tensions :
– References to ethnic bigotry and threats further exacerbate social tensions. The President’s rhetoric risks deepening divisions rather than fostering an environment conducive to constructive dialogue and national unity.
– This approach fails to align with the spirit of Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, or political opinion.
Misrepresentation of Economic Policies
President Tinubu defends controversial economic policies while glossing over their immediate negative impacts:
1. Justifying Austerity Measures:
– Tinubu justifies the removal of fuel subsidies and the abolition of multiple foreign exchange systems as necessary for economic growth. While these measures may have long-term benefits, they have led to immediate hardships for many Nigerians, particularly those already struggling with poverty and unemployment.
– The President’s claims of increased government revenue and economic growth are used to justify these painful measures, without acknowledging the daily struggles of ordinary citizens. This selective presentation of economic data obscures the broader picture of widespread economic suffering.
2. Distracting with Grandiose Plans:
– The President outlines numerous ambitious projects, such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Compressed Natural Gas Initiative. While these projects sound promising, their feasibility and timelines for completion remain questionable. Highlighting future plans serves as a distraction from the current inadequacies and failures of the administration.
– This approach overlooks the need for immediate relief and support for those affected by the economic policies. It also ignores the demands for greater transparency and accountability in governance, which are central to the protests.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
The President’s address raises significant legal and human rights issues that need critical examination:
1. Ignoring the Right to Peaceful Protest:
– The call for the suspension of protests overlooks the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. The suggestion that protests must stop for dialogue to occur undermines the legitimacy of public dissent and pressures citizens to silence their voices in exchange for uncertain negotiations.
– The right to peaceful assembly is protected under Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 21 of the ICCPR. The government’s approach in handling the protests must align with these legal standards to ensure that citizens’ rights are respected.
2. Lack of Concrete Assurances on Human Rights:
– There is a lack of specific assurance that law enforcement agencies will respect human rights while maintaining order. Given past instances of police brutality, this omission is concerning and does little to build trust among the protesters.
– The President’s vague statement on law enforcement’s responsibility to protect lives and property fails to address the need for accountability and reform within the Nigerian Police Force. This oversight contradicts the principles of justice and the rule of law, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties.
Failure to Address Systemic Issues
The President’s address fails to tackle the systemic issues at the heart of the protests:
1. Overlooking Governance Failures:
– While the address mentions various economic and social initiatives, it fails to tackle systemic corruption, governance failures, and the lack of transparency. These are core issues driving the protests and require immediate and comprehensive reforms.
– The focus on economic metrics and infrastructure projects diverts attention from the urgent need for political accountability and justice. Without addressing these fundamental issues, the government’s promises of economic growth and development remain hollow.
2. Lack of Specific Measures for Accountability:
– The President’s assurance of good governance and transparency rings hollow without a clear commitment to tackling corruption and holding officials accountable.
The speech lacks specific measures to ensure that governance improvements are not just rhetoric but are implemented in practice.
– Effective governance requires robust mechanisms for accountability, transparency, and public participation. These principles are essential for building trust and ensuring that government policies serve the interests of the people.
President Tinubu’s address, while ostensibly aimed at calming the nation and addressing protesters’ concerns, ultimately falls short due to its manipulative and evasive nature. By selectively expressing sympathy, shifting blame, employing fear tactics, misrepresenting economic policies, and failing to address fundamental systemic issues, the speech reveals a disconnect between the administration and the populace. Genuine dialogue and reform require transparency, accountability, and a commitment to respecting the rights of all Nigerians, particularly those exercising their right to peaceful protest. Without these elements, the address remains a superficial attempt to placate dissent rather than a meaningful step towards resolving the nation’s deep-seated issues.
In conclusion, as an authority in the field of International Law with a sharp focus on conflict, security and human rights, I can sagaciously assert that President Tinubu’s address exemplifies a political strategy that prioritizes image management over substantive change. The speech’s manipulation of public sentiment, blame-shifting, use of fear, misrepresentation of policies, and neglect of systemic issues underscore the need for genuine leadership that truly listens to and addresses the people’s concerns. For Nigeria to progress, the government must embrace transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights, fostering an environment where every citizen can peacefully express their grievances and contribute to the nation’s development.
Chimereze Añuruegbe Esq. (LLM in Int’l Law – Conflict Security & Human Rights, LLM in Taxation Law & Public Policy, CiArb)
