Uche Onyegucha, a former member of the House of Representatives from Imo State, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign or establish a government of national unity in response to the ongoing nationwide protests against alleged bad governance.

Speaking to newsmen in Owerri on Tuesday, Onyegucha, who was previously the National Welfare Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), criticized President Tinubu’s recent broadcast addressing the protests, stating it exacerbated the public’s dissatisfaction.

“My name is Uche Onyeagucha, the former National Welfare Secretary of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). I’m the young man (wearing a red cap and dressed in white) holding the microphone for you in the video, (which has gone viral) where you were calling for a National Protest in 2013,” Onyegucha began.

He recalled their shared history as pro-democracy activists during General Sani Abacha’s regime and their involvement in opposition political parties like the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and the All Progressive Congress (APC). “In 1995, in our quest for Democracy, we both attended the World Conference on Democracy in Washington DC sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy, NED,” he added.
Onyegucha criticized Tinubu’s administration, claiming it had united Nigerians in their discontent due to bad governance and widespread hunger. He argued that Tinubu’s advisors were not accurately conveying the severity of the situation to him, as evidenced by his tone-deaf broadcast on August 4th.

“Your broadcast to the Nation has added serious fuel to the flame. The anger of Nigerians against you and your administration is now unparalleled. Mr. President Sir, respectfully under the circumstance, you have only two options left,” Onyegucha stated.

He urged President Tinubu to either dissolve his government and form a Government of National Unity or resign and go into exile. “I pray that God will touch Nigerians to accept this option in the light of the contempt which you displayed against Nigerians in your Broadcast. You should resign as President and proceed immediately on Exile to enable Nigeria to start on a clean slate again,” he advised.

Onyegucha warned that failing to consider these options could plunge Nigeria into a significant political, economic, and social crisis. He concluded with a plea for Tinubu to find the wisdom, courage, discipline, and statesmanship to act on his advice.

The call comes amid escalating tensions and protests across Nigeria, as citizens express their frustration with the current administration’s handling of the country’s numerous challenges.