Rita Oyiboka/Amayindi Yakubu
In a protest that could be aptly dubbed “The Emperor’s New Clothes” meets “Hell’s Kitchen,” a man in Ojota, Lagos decided to bare it all—literally.
Stripped down to nothing but his convictions, he marched alongside other protesters, belting out “Solidarity forever” in a unique rendition that will be etched in memory.
Not to be outdone, a woman protester wielded an empty pot, crying of hunger on Thursday. She could be heard saying in Yoruba language, “Ebi o, ebi o’ which means ‘hunger, hunger’ amid drops of tears.
These scenes, as surreal as they were symbolic, marked the opening salvo of Nigeria’s #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests—a raw, unfiltered outcry against a government perceived to have left its people exposed to the harshest realities of life.
The much-anticipated 10-day protest marathon officially kicked off on Thursday with fervor and frustration. As Nigerians hit the streets, their grievances blared louder than a stadium vuvuzela: spiraling inflation, a naira doing its best impression of a nosedive, and fuel prices that have left wallets gasping for air.
President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, intended to resuscitate the economy, seem to have instead put it in a critical state. The removal of the fuel subsidy was the bitter cherry on this sour cake, sparking widespread outrage.
In the weeks leading up to the protest, tension was as thick as Lagos traffic. Social media was ablaze with hashtags like #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria, rallying the masses. Civil society groups and activists prepared to voice their discontent, while the government, ever the cautious host, rolled out the red carpet for law enforcement, positioning police and military forces in key cities like Lagos and Abuja.
Eagle Square in Abuja was sealed off like a treasure vault, and the Lekki toll gate in Lagos—infamously etched in memory from the 2020 #EndSARS protests—was guarded with military precision.
In a bid to soften the blow, the government unveiled a package of “palliatives,” including grain deliveries and aid for the most needy—a gesture viewed by many as too little, too late.
Protest organizers, however, were unimpressed. They presented a laundry list of 19 demands, highlighting the fuel subsidy removal as the villain of the piece. Among other things, they called for a minimum wage hike to N300,000, free and compulsory education, and the abolition of the Senate—a demand that surely caused some nervous shifting in Abuja.
Africa’s largest democracy is not alone in its discontent. Recent unrest in Kenya, where President William Ruto faced down protests over tax hikes, and in Uganda, where anti-corruption protests led to arrests, paint a broader picture of a continent in turmoil. Nigeria’s history with protests, particularly the bloody aftermath of the #EndSARS movement, adds a layer of anxiety to the current climate.
The prequel to the protest’s opening day was not without drama and controversy. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), usually a stalwart in such events, conspicuously distanced itself.
NLC President Joe Ajaero clarified that the union “cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organize,” although he expressed sympathy with the protesters’ plight.
His call for dialogue over demonstrations echoed like a plea for calm in a storm, emphasizing, “Once again, we implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and do the needful. After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
Meanwhile, the students of Delta State and the Urhobo Progress Union chose to sit this one out. Citing security concerns and the state government’s “dividends of democracy,” they opted out. President of the National Association of Delta State Students (NADESTTU), Comrade Monday Wiska, highlighted the state’s supportive measures, like bursary payments, as reasons to steer clear of the protests, advising fellow students to stay safe and stay away.
In Lagos, suspected thugs ominously warned potential protesters, “Are you the only one hungry? If you dare come out for the protest, you will be mercilessly dealt with.”
The federal government’s responses ranged from heavy-handed to downright absurd. Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s statement that “Mr. President…never campaigned to be a magician” was particularly tone-deaf, highlighting the administration’s struggles. It’s a reminder that while Tinubu promised “Renewed Hope,” the reality has been anything but magical.
Despite attempts by the federal government to dissuade participation in the protests, Nigerians chose to exercise their constitutional right, turning down offers of government appeasement.
Director General of Amnesty International, Mr. Isa Sanusi, emphasized the legal right to peaceful assembly, stating, “The Nigerian government must ensure that security agencies respect and facilitate the right to protest, as guaranteed by both the country’s constitution and human rights treaties.”
Nigerians even took to social media to criticize President Bola Tinubu, reminding him of his 29th November 2013 tweet: “Do not attack protesters. Your children are involved. Your lives are involved. Your children’s future lie here.” Now that he holds the reins of power, a twist has emerged.
Meanwhile, the 15th President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, poured fuel on the fire by saying, “We’ll be eating, protesters can protest,” during the inauguration of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Council in Owerri. This is not the first time Akpabio has been spotlighted for the wrong reasons. During a Senate plenary, he infamously announced, “In order to enable all of us enjoy our holidays, a token has been sent to our various accounts by the clerk of the National Assembly,” only to withdraw the statement upon realizing the plenary was televised.
Such unguarded remarks by public officials further justify the masses’ protest against bad governance. In an ideal country, public servants would resign to preserve their reputation and demonstrate responsibility for their actions. However, the intoxication of power seems to overshadow these considerations, compounding the failure to fulfill campaign promises.
Meanwhile, a 2023 Lagos governorship contestant, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, tweeted his support for the protest: “From Borno, Gombe to Ibadan, the cry of hunger echoes, and the frustration from bad governance is evident. The APC has failed the people and dashed their hope.”
Rhodes joins Peter Obi and Atiku, who both contested in the 2023 presidential elections, in supporting the August movement.
The Hunger and Bad Governance protests across Nigeria on August 1, 2023, saw a harmonious embrace by both Christians and Muslims, recognizing that their shared plight transcends ethnic or religious divides. In Jos, the capital city of Plateau State, Christians demonstrated solidarity by guarding their Muslim brothers during Zuhr prayers at the protest ground. While some religious clerics remained silent, others like Prophet Isa El-Buba, a prominent figure in the northern Christian community, actively supported the protests, tweeting, “We are making history,” and leading protesters himself.
Meanwhile, popular Nigerian artist Falz the Bad Guy was handed the title of “Giant of Africa” by Grammy-winning Afrobeat star Burna Boy, following a heated argument with fans on Twitter. Burna Boy, reflecting on the tragic events of October 10, 2020, at the Lekki Toll Gate, declared, “I don hand over to Falz bros,” marking a symbolic transfer of activist spirit due to the violent suppression of protests.
As predicted by concerned observers, the August 1 protests saw a mix of peaceful demonstrations and unfortunate incidents of violence and looting.
The Minister of Communication and Innovation, Dr. Bosun Tijani, lamented on Twitter that the Digital Innovation Park in Kano, slated for launch, was set ablaze and looted by protesters. Meanwhile, in Borno, a bombing prompted a 24-hour curfew, underscoring the volatile situation. The events in Kano and Yobe, where public and private properties were targeted by miscreants, echoed the devastating impact of the #EndSARS protests hijacked by hoodlums.
Adding to the chaos, reports emerged of police using tear gas against peaceful protesters in several states. The situation took a tragic twist in Kaduna, where police allegedly shot and killed a protester prompting the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to issue a stern warning.
“The overall approach to policing protests should be guided by the concept of facilitation of the protests,” SERAP declared, urging authorities to respect the right to peaceful demonstration.
With the protests witnessing bloodshed, looting, and police brutality, questions remain whether the protesters can sustain the 10-day movement or if they will succumb to pressure. The coming days will reveal the outcome.
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has stepped in, offering free legal services to protesters to prevent illegal detentions, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law. As economic activities stall and hunger continues, it is crucial for the federal and state governments to proactively engage with protest organizers to address their demands and curtail the duration of the protest.
As the curtain of day three #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria is lifted, Nigeria faces a critical juncture.
With protesters vowing not to back down, even if faced with violence or arrests, the nation watches with bated breath.
Will this movement catalyze the change it seeks, or will it be another chapter in Nigeria’s long history of unmet demands and unfulfilled promises? For now, all eyes are on the streets, where the drama is just beginning.
