By Kassim Afegbua
I have engaged quite a number of people on the propriety of the proposed 1st August protest: #endbadgovernment, #dayofrage, #takeitback, etc. The planners, many of whom are yet faceless, may be divergent in their goals and pursuits. Some people are of the view that the protest will lead to a regime change, some others think that it will alter the political permutations and algorithms of the nation, while some others see it as an opportunity to make sure that government’s attention is drawn to the challenges facing the country. Of all of those I engaged, none was able to tell me what they hope that a mob action will achieve to serve as therapy for our national malady. What if the protest is hijacked? No one could offer me a plausible response. Once Nigerians saw the rage in Kenya against President William Ruto, the urge to execute a similar one resonated in them, of course, with a political undertone. Those who lost out in the 2023 presidential election are still licking their wounds, shouting blue murder. They are still threatening that they would make Nigeria ungovernable. The Atikus and Obis of this world have voiced their support for the protest, with a flight ticket in their pocket, to exit to foreign countries to hibernate, while the carnage and pillage last. Call them bad losers, and you will be damn right. There are some others also, who are still unable to come to terms with the political reality in Nigeria today: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To them, that reality is discordant with their very existence.
We know that the proponents of the 1st August protest are taking inspiration from their Kenyan counterparts, they are glib over big differences: unlike Kenya, Nigeria has variegated components of diverse ethnic, religious and geopolitical leanings. It is for Kenya to take inspiration from our ingenuity as the giant of Africa; unfortunately Nigeria is trying to take inspiration from Kenya, and on a subject matter that is immersed in unpredictability. I have seen some skits and heard some voice notes of the so-called planners asking for Eagle Square in a tone that tends to suggest that they are our new Lords. Some of them have even threatened that if the permission is not granted, they will forcefully occupy the Eagle Square in Abuja. Others have said they want a regime change and a complete overhaul of all architecture of government to serve as something epochal of a new beginning. Some others asked for the release of Nnamdi Kanu from detention, and a demilitarisation of the South-East geopolitical zone. Also, there are calls for a reduction in the price of Petrol Motor Spirit-PMS–to attenuate the “suffering” of the people. The requests are copious, all at once, they will addle the government. Yes, they would ordinarily propel the citizenry to endorse the protest and perhaps set the tone for a concatenation of other activities that may indeed even make it even more difficult for government to execute its statutory responsibilities. From all perspectives, the proposed 1st August protest is going to leave a sour taste in the mouth if we reckon what obtained during the #EndSars protest that became bloody.
A protest remains a protest; a written disapproval of existing realities. In whatever form, protests of this type being envisaged, has the capacity to turn bloody, especially when emotions run high and there’s a likelihood of it becoming a mob action. Before anyone contemplates an action of this type, the group or perosns must explore or exploit the opportunity of a dialogue with the constituted authority. The persons also must demonstrate that their intended activity will not in any way lead to injustice and abuse of the rights of those who are not part of the protest. It must also be underscored that there are no irreconcilable differences between the constituted authority and any protesting body. The protest must also be able to advance its proposed end result, which must be cogent enough to substantiate first, dialogue before a call for the protest. When you are dealing with a listening President who is also a product of struggle, the need to fully explore all the openings for dialogue would be the best approach, before setting up a date for total shut down. The reality is always a two pronged reality. First, there are those who are not interested in the protest. Are you going to protect their rights to stay away from the protest? Are you going to respect the fundamental human rights of those not participating in the protest? Is there a guarantee that the protest will not be hijacked by criminals, hooligans and thugs and go rogue to become a behemoth, which would unleash havoc on a polity that is uninvolved? If the protest becomes unwieldy, like the #EndSars one did, who does the government hold accountable for all the carnage and damage? If there are openings to have conversations with the constituted authority, why not explore them and gain mileage, rather than carry cudgel and scalpel?
President Tinubu understands the dynamics within the Nigerian geopolitical space and has been doing a lot within his power to rein in the major actors to forestall any breakdown of law and order. The President is also familiar with the language of the street, and the psychology of those who are at the receiving end of certain government policies. A president with a rich street sense should be given the benefit of the doubt, that he would take the best and most rewarding decisions on behalf of the people for the wellbeing of all. Those who are trying to rattle the polity, are only trying to test the resolve of the President, especially as they realise that he has his own army of youths as his followers and supporters. This may very well be temptation for him to unleash them onto the street; but that will be counterproductive. The President has been very strategic, as to engage with major actors, traditional rulers, opinion moulders, and stakeholders to nip this avoidable protest in the bud. The protesters and their organisers are advised to first and foremost put the interest of the country first. Their sense of patriotism should be indubitable and total, and their readiness to sacrifice for the public good should be the only motivation. Their love for the wellness of the country should also be uppermost in their hearts. Through their leaders, they can submit to the National Assembly their memoranda that would catalogue their request with timelines that are achievable, within reason. The National Assembly, will then liaise with the Executive Arm of government to proffer temporary and transitory solutions, as well as long term solutions to their demands. No government, no matter how demure, will sit back and fold its hands when its resolve is being tested.
As patriotic Nigerians, we must insist on the ideals rather than the bizarre in charting a roadmap away from our present maladies. We need to collectively join hands with the government to proffer workable solutions that will address the critical issues that beset us. Government alone cannot solve the problems. Under a virile democratic government, the role of opposition is a welcome development, but it shouldn’t target the destruction and conflagration of the entire governance process to make its point. President Tinubu has been upbeat since his assumption of office, churning out several policies and trying to recalibrate a government to take to higher heights. The subsidy scammers would naturally fight back, those who do not want our refineries to work, will also try to fight back, and currency speculators too. Getting all these on track will require some time; and to deny President Tinubu that needed time, to fully synchronise his policy agenda will be to miss the point altogether. Those who want to protest, should also take a cue from others who have done a similar thing in South Africa, Kenya and some other countries. The reality will dawn on them after the aftermath of their actions and inaction. Protest is not the way to go at this time, but unity of purpose and solidarity with good intentions by all, would help yield some positive results. The protest should therefore be called off, and the President should continue to meet with some stakeholders as milestone are achieved, to debrief them of how far government has gone with setting a new agenda for a robust citizen inclusiveness and participation in the art of governance.
On a final note, our democracy is still very fragile, hence it is imperative on our part to guard this experiment jealously, to forestall the breakdown of law and order. Mr. President is already working on students loans, fixing of our refineries, palliatives, increased allocations to states and local governments, increased revenue as a result of subsidy removal, infrastructural renewal, minimum wage to N70k per month: over and above 100% of what it used to be, and a host of others. The Local Government autonomy granted by the Supreme Court is another entree served to Nigerian by this government; it is a deliberate policy to help define our federalist status. President Tinubu cannot solve all the problems in one fell swoop. A step at a time, and we will collectively get to El Dorado. If this protest holds, as being envisaged, the protesters should note that they are the real killers of our economy, the real economic saboteurs who out of their selfish reasons, want to destroy the fabric of our economy. On a daily basis, Nigeria may be losing as much as N400b daily if this protest holds, and that would further compound our present woes. Aside from that, if there are destructions, which is not remotely, another season of breakdown of infrastructure will stare us in the face. What we need at this time are a combination of reason, constructive engagement and common sense. That is how to build a nation and not always cursing and abusing the country as though we are not involved. We need to think Nigeria first before any other thing. Collectively we can build a virile democracy with flourishing opportunities for all. President Tinubu, God is your strength!!
. Afegbua is a former Commissioner for Information in Edo State
