Protests: Tinubu’s Aides Begin Nationwide Public Engagement Initiative

By Our Correspondent

In response to ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has embarked on a nationwide public engagement initiative, seeking to strengthen communication between the government and its citizens.

The initiative, led by Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) on Community Engagement, spans Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

This move follows President Tinubu’s recent nationwide broadcast, in which he urged protesters to suspend demonstrations and pursue dialogue.

The President emphasized the need for unity across age, party, tribe, and religion to address Nigeria’s challenges.

Seun Ajayi, Head of Media at the Presidential Community Engagement Office, confirmed in a Thursday statement that the SSAs have been mandated to return to their communities to directly engage with citizens. The goal is to ensure that government policies are well-understood and that public feedback is incorporated into national decision-making.

“Their mission is to strengthen the relationship between the government and its citizens,” Ajayi stated, highlighting the creation of the Citizens’ Assembly, a platform designed to ensure that public voices are heard in governance.

In a related development, the SSA for the North Central zone, Abiodun Essiet, recently launched the Citizens’ Assembly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. She expressed concerns over the disconnect between the Federal Government and local communities, citing a March 2024 survey that revealed significant gaps in communication and representation.

The survey, conducted across the North Central region, including states like Abuja, Benue, and Kogi, found that 48.2% of respondents felt a lack of government engagement, while 78.3% felt unrepresented in policy decisions. To bridge this gap, Essiet emphasized the importance of community engagement in fostering trust and cohesion.

“Community engagement plays a crucial role in building trust between the Federal Government and its citizens,” Essiet said, urging other officials to replicate this model nationwide.

The Citizens’ Assembly, which aims to enhance community development and cohesion, will soon be expanded across the North Central states, with nearly a thousand volunteers already showing interest in participating.