BY AMAYINDI YAKUBU
It was the 16th United States President, Abraham Lincoln who once stated, “Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth,” indeed a true definition of a democratic society.
Today we see a different school of thought, championing a rather disturbing perspective, as to what a society governed by democratic tenants should abide with.
Amnesty International, in their opening statement on the protest section on their website, opined that “Protest is an invaluable way to speak truth to power. Throughout history protests have been the driving force behind some of the most powerful social movements, exposing injustice and abuse, demanding accountability and inspiring people to keep hoping for a better future”. The organization has been known for its public outcry in support of peaceful demonstrations across the world.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human rights, gives us the privilege of freedom of expression, offering us an opportunity to air out our grievance. In this case, peaceful protest is one among the avenues we can make our opinion known. We were subconsciously programmed to believe our voice don’t echo loud enough. This mindset has been in motion for decades, fortified by strong political propagandas initiated by our leaders.
Who will have dared to believe our collective power can be felt palpable by our subjugators? But the narrative keeps shifting, day by day from various cinematic scenes across the African continent, directed by pains the manacles and shackles our captivators imprisoned us with.
The 2020 #Endsars protest against police brutality metamorphosed into anti-bad governance campaign in Nigeria, yielding considerable results in police reforms. The important aspect of the campaign was the apocalyptic revelation Nigerians and other Africans received from the event. Youths across the nation, realized that government could pay attention to their united cry.
The events surrounding pockets of serious protests across the African shores, all have linkage to one major factor. That the people are dissatisfied with their present dilemma and the time to rise up and speak is now.
From the Kenyan revolts against government’s proposed finance bill, this seeks to enslave its citizens. The Uganda protesters were also inspired to demonstrate against corruption perpetuated by government officials, leading the president to tell its citizens “You are playing with fire”. A vicious statement made by a leader of a nation against its citizens.
Nigeria has also been caught in the spider’s web of numerous protests. Series of protests and demonstration have already been experienced from January to July alone. But the proposed August 1st-10th protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria, seems to draw more attention and controversy as to whether protest is the feasible solution to the predicaments of our dear nation.
The magnitude of the soon-to-be staged nationwide protest has sparked several reactions within the country, drawing a special emergency meeting of government officials represented by Secretaryto teh Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume with Ministers and Heads of Service on Wednesday 24, 2024. This is coming after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pleaded with Nigerians to give him more time to fix to derailed nation.
With the swelling inflation rate from 34.19 percent to 40.87, high cost of living, hike in commodities prices and continues security threat, organizers of the proposed August 1st protests choose to keep deaf ear to the pleas of Mr. President, resorting rather to exercise their constitutional rights of protesting.
Even as the federal government recently increased the national minimum wage, from N33,000 to N77,000 after a long intense battle with the National Labour Congress (NLC). Many Nigerians still refuse to keep silent, acknowledging the positive development yet, requesting for better and more serious handling of myriads of challenges facing the nation. Others made it glaring that the increased wage will eventually not be sustainable, because of the perceived sudden hike in the price of both local and foreign commodities.
If those whose names are enshrined in government and private sector payroll still complain, what will one expect thousands of jobless folks out there in the street’s nooks and crannies? This means the national wage will only impact a section of the mass populace of the society. Many will be left for hunger to decide their fate. Yes, we know that joy comes in the morning, but let’s remember that hunger tarries for the night.
Let’s take a venture into understanding various perspectives and reactions expressed by many, about the planned August 1st protest. In a statement released by The People’s Redemptive Party Vanguard, in response to the government’s approach to handling the affairs of the nation, they addressed Tinubu thus, “You can’t treat public procurement, the central bank, the petroleum, mining, and gas sectors; finance and energy; internal affairs and defense, as your personal fiefdoms, and expect public paralysis from active citizens and people”.
The PRP went further to insist that “We the freedom fighters of Nigeria will march in the streets of our Motherland on August 1 against bad governance, hardship, hinger and starvation, insecurity of life and property; and high cost of living”. In defiance to recent calls by many groups within the nation against their course, they choose to pursue till results are seen.
Worthy of contemplation is that the people who make up Tinubu’s administration were part of those who campaigned in the Occupy Nigeria Movement against President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed subsidy removal in 2012. Not only was their protests successful in making the government withdraw its plan, but also brought a new government which they now succeeded.
The government’s fear of disruptions of civil affair if the proposed protests turn violent is valid but putting measures to ensure that the safety of the protesters and government facilities are protected should be government concern rather than discouraging them.
Using Kenya protests that later turned violent as a template or cause for concern is reasonable but not realistic for our nation. Yes, 20th October, 2020 #Endsars aftermath still resonates with us all, a day Nigeria stood still as she watch her children mourn.
The event that leads to massive destruction of government and private property was entirely a criminal attempt to sabotage the #ensars course. This disruption was led by hoodlums not well-meaning Nigerians. Just like other countries that respect the rights of their citizens and provides security for protesters, Nigeria should rather remain resolute to prove her adherence to international prescribed practice of safeguarding their protesters than discouraging them.
Advocating for protesters, Amnesty International in a defensive statement said “Threatening peaceful protesters is unlawful. It is a clear attack on freedom of assembly which is guaranteed by international law and Nigeria’s 1999 constitution’’. The supremacy of the law, should as a matter of uttermost importance be respected by all parties, even government that enacted such laws.
The renowned human right body went to the extent of insisting that, “Nigerians must not be denied the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to peaceful protest; through veiled threats of violence and false insinuations”. This is a polite but quite serious tone spoken by Amnesty, because non adherence could result in sanctioning of the nation, putting us on a negative spotlight.
Another group under the umbrella of All Workers Convergence (AWC), responded to those kicking against the proposed August 1 protest against bad governance, hunger and insecurity as thus “anybody against this call for protest is an enemy of the people. It is time to emancipate Nigeria from corruption, bad governance and exploitation”.
But for the Rising Up for a United Nigeria (RUN), and Coalition of Civil Society Groups for National Stability and Cohesion, has termed 1 August protesters as “unpatriotic” and “certain people with ulterior interests, driven with bitterness and personal agendas”. Advising Nigerians to distance themselves from such campaign, RUN seems to more critical of the protests warning citizens against supporting those accused of patriotism.
Supporting government’s discouragement of the planned protest, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a powerful civil society voice in the north condemns the Aught visit. The forum views the proposed protest as ill-timed, unproductive and not purpose driven.
The US chapter of Afenifere the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, in their own part calls orginsers of the August protest to be cautions. Advising the government to converse with the organsers to settle the issues amicable, apex Igbo socio-cultural group Ohanaeze however, urged its citizens to shun planned nationwide strike.
However, Former vice president and opposition leader Atiku Abubarkar taking to his X (twitter) handle #atiku pen downed his grievance in his word “chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government”.
Although, coming from a politician that have suffered several defeats since his 2019 presidential bid, it is no surprise that Atiku has been vocal against the ruling government policies, standing as a major opposition to Tinubu’s rule. As the day of reckoning draws near, many reputable groups continue to draw back from the faith, citing concerns.
The Northern Initiative for growth highlighting their reasons “this protest is our democratic right to address critical issues affecting our region”. They group has already written to the inspector General of Police informing them of their plan to hold a peaceful protest across the northern part of the country on August 1, 2024.
Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria (NCMN), Jabir Ibrahim Yaro while commenting why his group will participate in the protest said, “The planed nationwide protest against hardship is a fight for the rescue of our democracy”. The north is not left out, as they unite with their counterparts in the country to stand for a worthy course.
The sudden movement of protests in Nigeria is a phenomenon beyond Africa. Many nations have used protest as powerful tool for reforms. Ranging from socio-economic, religious and other political affairs, protests have yielded result in many countries.
The ‘Arab Spring’ protest spread across the Arab-speaking countries against authoritarian governments, corruption, poverty and corrupt government officials. The waive starting from Tunisia, Egypt, Syria to Yemen results to significant results. Former Tunisian president, Zine Abidine Ben Ali’s 23-year regime ended just ten days after the protests began.
Black Lives Matter campaign in the United States against Police brutality led to significant reforms and prosecution of racist police officers. Since the inception of the Black Lives Matter, the black race in diaspora has enjoyed little breath against vicious racists.
Speaking of Nigeria, the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 was a significant event in our nation’s history. The colonial government had to forsake its wicked tax policy on women, when multitude of Igbo women took a march on November 1929 against the British colonial government.
In respect to the call by many against August 1 proposed protesters, prominent Nigerian vocal human rights activists and senior advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has urged the federal government against discouraging the protesters. Speaking on Channel TV he cautioned, “But threats do not work. In fact, on some occasions, the desperation of the government also has a way of popularizing such protests”.
Femi goes further to put out a vital part of this whole struggle, by exhorting state governors to look into the hardship their citizens are facing.
Because of the centralized system we operate, Nigerians always point fingers at federal government while we ignore the government at the state and local government. Now that local government autonomy is given to her by the Supreme Court, what are we to expect from these local councils in helping the people at the grass root, since they are nearest to them?
Traditional sphere in Nigeria have also delve into the matter urging for calm and caution. Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare, Sultan of Sokoto, His eminence, Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, Ooni of Ife, His imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi have all appeal to their subject and the entire nation not to participate in the August 1 protest.
The Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON among others joins the train in canvassing for alternative means of solving Nigeria’s problem, while maintaining social distance from the proposed protest.
Shehu Sani, former senator representing Kaduna Central however, raised concern regarding anonymity of the protest organizers and lack of clear leadership. But could the fear of being arrested and hunted as seen in the previous Endsars protest, led them to remain faceless?
“The sponsors of the protests do not love our country. They have no love for the nation. They do not understand citizenship. They have alternative passports”. Presidents Bola Tinubu’s rhetoric surely points to his scholarship in Aristotle persuasion technique. But the question as to whether Nigerians will bow to his decree will be determined on August 1.
Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Minister of Youth Development gave her forward to the August 1 protest book launch. “Our dear youth, there is no need to protest, Nigeria is not only country facing hardship”. But activist Aisha Yesufu says otherwise in response to Nigeria Army warning. Saying “You dare not make statement”.
Realistically, the problems the nation is facing will require time to fix. But that does not mean measures and favorable economic and social policies can’t be implemented to cushion the effects of hardship, bad governance, and corruption in the country.
Nigerians should be allowed to exercise their constitutional right; their freedom of expression should be upheld. This is how Nigeria can prove that it respects her citizen’s decisions. Her children expect the Motherland to adhere to its desires and reason with her plight.
As the National Assembly embarks on a seven-week recess, it is essential to acknowledge that Nigerians require proactive and responsive leadership to address their pressing concerns.
Rather than merely reducing legislators’ salaries, the nation needs leaders who are actively engaged and committed to driving positive change. In light of this, it is crucial to maintain momentum and continue working towards solutions, rather than suspending progress until the Assembly reconvenes on September 17.
Even as the clock ticks towards August 1st, the push forward and pull-out game carries on even as the powers that be continue to placate and threaten the brewing storm. The intentions of the protesters seem noble but the prospects are uncertain. Nigerians want to speak but will the government listen? Better still, will the voices be loud enough?
