Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Prominent banker and good governance advocate, Atedo Peterside, has incurred the wrath of netizens for calling for an end to the ongoing protests in the country.
The founder of Stanbic-IBTC Bank took to his official X account to express his dissatisfaction with the protest as it continues, stating that it has gone on for too long and is disrupting the daily lives of Nigerians.
He also called on the organisers to call off the protest lest it gets hijacked by hoodlums.
He said: “I doff my hat to those of you who have been protesting peacefully since 01 August. You have shaken Nigeria to the core and dispelled the falsehood that many of our youths are not politically active and/or do not care to demand good governance. I beg you in the name of God to please call off the protest now.
“I explained that any mass street action that goes on for more than a few days will be infiltrated and overtaken by hoodlums. Please end the protests today (Sunday),” he tweeted.
Peterside went further to urge the protesters to consider poor Nigerians who cannot endure protests for more than a few days.
“Poor Nigerians cannot endure protests for more than a few days. You have made your point. Your massive turnout has frightened many people.
“Federal Government is not deaf. The President has spoken this morning. Perhaps even the Legislators have heard you also.
“If they collectively fail to significantly reduce the cost of governance, stop wasteful expenditures and tighten their own belts or lead by example, please then re-strategise, regroup and call them to order again. God bless you all.”
Following the post, many netizens were quick to criticize Peterside for his comments, accusing him of being out of touch with the reality of the situation and dismissing the grievances of the protesters.
Some pointed out that Peterside, as a member of the elite class, may not fully understand the hardships that many Nigerians are facing and the importance of the protests in demanding change.
Others defended Peterside, arguing that everyone has the right to express their opinion and that the protests should not be prolonged indefinitely.
However, the majority of the responses to Peterside’s comments were negative, with many accusing him of being insensitive and unaware of the struggles of the Nigerian people
Bankole Otegbeye with the handle @bankeyson in a lengthy response wrote:
“If the Tinubu’s government sincerely wants to dialogue and address the protest demand, the first step is to allow the protest to be peaceful by allowing the protesters peacefully into Eagle Square to take their seats and be there for the remaining 6 days while we dialogue. Also allow peaceful procession of the protesters in other states.
“Tinubu has failed to address past, present, and future corruption and unaccountability with our national resources in his speech.
“A plan to food price reduction or in lieu of this, fuel subsidy reversion is necessary at this point to alleviate the masses suffering for now. Tinubu can Cut cost of governance, recover looted fund, and become more responsible with it expenditure to achieve this.
“The real question is why is the government so scared of a peaceful protest? Why don’t they want people to assemble in a safe, centre, and open location?
“It is because the government do not want more people to feel comfortable with joining the protest. It is because the government know that the true number of displeased Nigerians is overwhelming so they have to ensure there is no environment for enough people to express their displeasure peacefully.
“Buhari and Tinubu government are laying a precedent of making protest synonymous to anarchy. The APC is more interested in maintain the bad and corrupt governance status quo ante than in delivering the dividends of democracy.
“We won’t fall for their oppressive schemes.
“Wike has insulted the people. We will undo that insult.
“The police and political thugs have killed our people in the north, they will account for those lives lost.”
@GidiGambino wrote: “Tweeting from your Mansion with multiple commas in your bank account.
“When last did you buy a paint bucket of Garri or a ‘De rica’ of rice?
“Do you know how much it goes for currently, without asking?
“You obviously have no idea what’s happening. Stop the Manipulation.”
Another netizen, #OfficeOfTheNigerianCitizen with the handle, @kcemenike said, “If the government decides to send hoodlums, it’s on them, and not on us.
“Please sir, channel the energy in this message to those sending hoodlums, and not to peaceful protesters.
“And since NONE of the demands have been acknowledged, THE PROTESTS WILL CONTINUE.
#EndBadGovernance”
Chidera @dera_theking wrote: “It’s the Poor Nigerians who you think can’t endure the protests any longer that are protesting.
“ENDSARS was a youth action against police brutality, now it’s the actual masses who can’t afford Garri who have hit the streets, of what use is it if they head home and there’s been no significant changes to their standard of living. Why protest in the first place??
“Btw, as long as we haven’t addressed INEC and the judiciary, there’s no reason to still not be on the street… we need to know our votes will count come 2027 and we can let Tinubu run out what’s left of his tenure.”
Tobi Akinbo J. of @realTobiAkinbo said: “Call off the protest when none of the demands are met? Stop playing, sir.”
“President gave speech that did not even relate to the major reason why Nigerians are protesting rather he was point accusing finger on opposition party and blaming the past leaders for his failure,” wrote @Tonia_dimma.
David Brand, MD with the handle @DOgbijo wrote: “Thank you for your advice. Our demands are yet to be addressed.”
