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Protest: Tinubu Would Not Make Any Nationwide Broadcast – Presidency
The presidency has denied reports that President Bola Tinubu would address Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast over the planned protest.
The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement on Saturday.
According to him, some mischief makers had started promoting reports that President Tinubu would address Nigerians over the planned nationwide protest, but there is no truth in such.
Onanuga added that those behind the purported broadcast have also released a fake speech, but President Tinubu would not make any broadcast.
The presidential media aide also released a text of the fake speech.
Speaking via the X account, Onanuga wrote: “Dear Nigerians
“False text of broadcast in circulation
“Please ignore the text of an alleged broadcast said to have been made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It is totally false. It is the handiwork of mischief makers, people bent on sowing confusion and chaos in our country. Please ignore it. President Tinubu has not made any broadcast.
“Please find below the concocted broadcast.”
TINUBU SPEAKS
“My fellow Nigerians,
“I stand before you today with a heavy heart, but also with hope and determination. Our beloved nation faces unprecedented economic challenges that demand bold and decisive action. As your President, I am committed to leading by example and making the difficult decisions necessary to put Nigeria back on the path to prosperity.
“Effective immediately, I am announcing a 50% reduction in my salary and all other emoluments. I call upon the Vice President, Senate President, and all other top government officials to follow suit. We who have been entrusted with leadership must be the first to make sacrifices for the good of our nation.
“In the spirit of fiscal responsibility, I am also announcing the following measures:
1. The Office of the First Lady will be scrapped to reduce unnecessary expenditures.
2. We will sell off several presidential aircraft that are currently idle, retaining only those essential for official duties.
3. Government ministries will be consolidated, with a maximum of 36 ministers to streamline operations and reduce costs.
4. Fuel and electricity subsidies will be restored to provide immediate relief to our citizens, while we work on long-term solutions to our energy challenges.
5. All government officials will be mandated to use locally manufactured products, including automobiles, to support our domestic industries and reduce foreign exchange outflows.
“These are just the first steps in our comprehensive plan to cut the cost of governance and redirect resources to critical areas of need. We are also implementing the following additional measures:
6. A significant reduction in the number of political appointees and aides across all levels of government.
7. The implementation of a comprehensive e-governance system to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency.
8. A review and renegotiation of all government contracts to ensure value for money.
9. The introduction of a performance-based budgeting system to ensure that every naira spent delivers tangible results for our people.
10. A freeze on non-essential foreign trips by government officials, with a shift towards virtual meetings and conferences.