Those countries are more fragmented than they were before. In a sanner societies or advanced democracy, people use election period to effect necessary changes. If Nigerians felt that Tinubu administration has failed to meet up with their expectations, they should come out in 2027 and vote him out. The same with other elective seats. With the high rate of unemployment and hunger in the country, any protest can be infiltrated by the fifth column or street urchins.
The plan for protest to end “Bad governance” in the country scheduled to hold on 1 August, has continued to gain traction especially in the social media. Those who are nursing the idea of protest believe that Tinubu administration’s policies in the last one year have made lives more difficult to Nigerians amidst galloping inflation and excruciating cost of living. The deteriorating condition of living among many Nigerians was followed by the removal of petroleum subsidy and unification of forex exchange rate at the inception of this government. Though, the removal of fuel subsidy has led to more revenues accrued to the three tiers of government, Nigerians are yet to see commensurate results particularly at the state and local levels. Corruption, unemployment, insecurity and high cost of living are the reasons stated by the faceless conveners of the protest.
While the 1999 constitution as amended gives Nigerians the inalienable right to freedom of expression, assembly and association, there are limitations to those rights. For instance, one can not hide under the freedom of expression or assembly to incite public disturbance, the same applies to others fundamental human rights as enshrined in the constitution. Nigeria has chequered history of protests notable among are: Abeokuta Women’s Revolt 1929, sparked by an increase in student fees, the anti-SAP protest in response to the IMF-imposed Structural Adjustment Program introduced by the Babangida military government, June 12 protest against IBB’s annulment of1993 presidential election believed to have won by late MKO Abiola, occupy Nigeria in 2012 ,against the Jonathan government removal of fuel subsidy that led to the reinstatement of the subsidy and a review of the Federal Government spending, the End SARS protest in 2020 in response to the human rights abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad that led to the disbandment of the unit.
Besides, our 25 years of uninterrupted democracy is the product of sacrifice, struggle and protest by pro-democrats, comprising civil society organisations, members of academic community and organised labour. That is why, when rumours of the planned protest filtered the air and spread like bush fire, nobody opposes it. There is nothing wrong for protest in democratic setting. A peaceful protest creates awareness, influencing policies changes, hold government accountable etc. But most of the protests that occurred in the country had organisers. Many of such protests were organised by either civil rights organisations or leadership of organised labour. While the motive behind the planned protest may be good looking at the glaring suffering Nigerians are passing through every day, one is worried about who are the real conveners? With many groups distancing themselves from the planned protest, it seems there is much ado to it.
A Protest without coordinating leadership can be hijacked by criminals or enemies of the state to cause great havoc. Nigerians had witnessed many protests which was said to have been organised peaceful but turned violent. The results were lost of lives and properties. Even the African countries that witnessed Protest such as Libya, Tunisia , Egypt and Kenya are not better up today. Those countries are more fragmented than they were before. In a sanner societies or advanced democracy, people use election period to effect necessary changes. If Nigerians felt that Tinubu administration has failed to meet up with their expectations, they should come out in 2027 and vote him out. The same with other elective seats. With the high rate of unemployment and hunger in the country, any protest can be infiltrated by the fifth column or street urchins.
The frustration and anger across the country due to the high cost of living call for more pragmatic actions. There is the need for government at all levels to come up with more humane policies towards lessening the suffering of Nigerians.
Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna State 08169056963.