The publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, has expressed shock and disappointment at President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Sunday, stating that it failed to address the demands of ongoing protesters across the country.
Taking to X, Momodu criticized Tinubu for not granting concessions to aggrieved Nigerians, attributing it to his long-held grip on Lagos State and the influence of his loyalist advisers.
He described the speech as a disappointment, saying it was wishful thinking to expect Tinubu to show mercy on Nigerians, given his track record.
Momodu’s comments reflect the widespread criticism of Tinubu’s broadcast, which many saw as tone-deaf and unresponsive to the protesters’ demands for change.
Reacting to Tinubu’s broadcast, Momodu said, “After the long-awaited speech of President Bola Tinubu eventually came this morning, I’m sure most of you would be as stupefied as me.
“I must confess that I had little hope of Tinubu granting some concessions to the aggrieved Nigerians. As a man who has held an iron grip on Lagos State for the last 25 years, it would be difficult for him to change a winning formula that has worked for him ever since.
“Also, what did we expect his advisers to be telling him when most of them have been his most fanatical cronies from Lagos who have learnt never to challenge the master?
“So it was merely wishful thinking on the part of incurable optimists like me to think he was going to have mercy on hapless and seemingly helpless Nigerians.”
