Between 1993 and 1998, unarmed Nigerians challenged the military after the annulment of June 12, 1993 elections to quit the political stage. The Nigerian Military rolled out its tanks to kill protesting Nigerians demanding for a democratic rule. That did not daunt Nigerian citizens as they continued until the military left the political stage on May 29, 1999......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
In the year, 2000, during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He visited the Niger-Delta region, Effurum to be precise. As usual, Chief Obasanjo spoke derogatorily to the people of the region. He totally ignored the degradation and neglect of this region by every government. The environmental hazard they face didn’t matter to him. Their complaints over the years were a ruse as far as he was concerned. In the middle of his speech, late human and environmental rights activist, Oronto Douglas walked up to the President on the podium and struggled the microphone from him. Of course, there were security officials, Police, SSS, Army, Navy, Air Force, Bodyguards, etc. At that moment, they were confused on what and how to intervene. Now in firm control of the microphone, Douglas declared to then-President Obasanjo, this is the Niger-Delta and not Abuja.
He told Mr. President to command his security aides to open fire and, pray to be alive to tell the story. Chief Obasanjo was shocked and perplexed. He looked round, saw Niger-Delta militant youths in their hundreds with sophisticated weapons in competition with the President’s security guards. The boys were daring. They looked prepared for action. They took positions and perhaps were waiting for instructions from their commander. It was the interventions of Governors Dipriye Alamieseigha, James Ibori, and Peter Odili, leaders and elders of the community who calmed the charged situation and took control.
In 2020, some Nigerian youths without any clear leadership, mobilized themselves via social media to protest against police brutality. The Nigeria Police have always over the years, brutalized and in some cases killed citizens with reckless abandon. No government have acted seriously against such extrajudicial murders by the Police. The government usually looked the other way as if the police have the administrative and legal powers to torture and kill Nigerians as it pleases them. Lawyers, journalists, civil society groups and well-meaning Nigerians have cried out against such brutality on citizens by the Police. Police Headquarters and Ministry of Justice have at several occasions been petitioned with no positive result rather, the Police come out emboldened.
The youths through social media mobilized themselves to protest against this brazen activities of the police. It was codenamed, #EndSarsNow. Many did not give the Nigerian youths any chances of successfully mobilizing and holding such massive protests that shook the country. In most states of the federation, there were protest marches, rallies calling for the scrapping of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Police Force, (SARS). Though, it turned violent in some cities leading to the burning of some Police stations, carting away of weapons and destruction of public properties. Some policemen, citizens were maimed and killed in the process.
Now, in July 2024, news filtered round that there would be 10 days protest against hunger and bad governance tagged #EndBadGovernance. It was billed to begin from August 01 across the country to be led by Nigerian youths. Again, like in the #EndSars, there was no identified leadership. This protest, according to the organizers was basically to alert the government of their frustration and disappointment. Their anger and hunger in the midst of plenty. To push the government to rethink their economic policies and reduce their excesses. August 01 came and, indeed there were street protests in some major cities of Nigeria, especially Lagos, Kano, FCT, Yobe, Katsina, Port-Harcourt, Niger, Kaduna, etc.
Despite the Federal Government and security agencies’ initial propaganda andgra-grato put fear in the people and discourage willing protesters, Nigerian youths poured into the streets in a more heroic manner. All these points to the fact that the momentum is gathering.
For days, the protests continued. The protesting Nigerian youths ignored the battle ready security agencies positioned at some strategic places in the states. They went about the protest peacefully. No doubt, some overzealous security agents and miscreants disrupted the peaceful protesters in some places. Some protesters, journalists and security agents were wounded, tear-gassed, harassed and killed by state agents. Yet, the Nigerian youths daily trooped out in their hundreds to show their displeasure at the life-threatening economic policies of the government that has brought untold hardship, hunger and unwarranted deaths on the people.
The Federal Government of Nigeria must rise up to the reality on ground. It is not enough for Mr. President to declare to the youths, ‘I have heard you loud and clear.’ He must move with speed to recover this country from the ruin it has approached. The government cannot continue to allow corruption and mismanagement share same bed in its domain. That Nigeria is on top of the global corruption index is in no doubt. Nigerian youths are gradually becoming agitated. They are becoming fearless. Preparing for a possible future battle unless there is a swift arrest of the quagmire in the economy.
Let no government think that the security forces can curtail the violent protests of the masses of this country. There are lots of light and sophisticated firearms in the hands of ordinary Nigerians. The political class may decide to go to sleep at their own peril. Mr. President must realize that his person is on trial. He needs to move fast to save this country from going up in flames. For instance, in the north alone, we have about 20 million out-of-school children. This is really worrisome and, easy tools for trouble. Again, the free movement and operations of insurgents, bandits and armed militia groups in the country are dangerous to peace.
It is important for government and security agencies to part ways with the colonial idea of seeing protests as offensive. Our democracy is endangered when we roll out armed security men and armoured tanks to counter peaceful protesters. The government must embrace peaceful protests to disallow violent protests that can lead to anarchy and doom. Government always trying hard to suppress peaceful protesters may launch the country into turmoil.
The President must stamp his feet and ensure his Ministers, Aides and Appointees work hard to advance the country. They must desist from living extravagantly and engaging in sharp practices. This is part of the anger in the land. Our leaders must lead by example in the tightening of belts. They can’t be engaged in excessive lifestyles and expect the already impoverished and hungry masses to sacrifice. Since the inception of this government, it has been from one palliative to the other. Nigerians do not need palliative but an organized system, an enabling environment and a thriving economy that would involve the people in productivity.
Nigeria, presently is on the cliff hanger. That is the truth. The economy is bad. There is serious suffering, hardship, hunger, growing unemployment that, the government must fold up their sleeve to tackle. It is the government’s full responsibility to consolidate the economy for the well-being of its citizens. No country on earth with Nigeria’s kind of economic situation and leadership style will continue to be peaceful. There is a time bomb in the horizon.
Nigerian leaders must prioritize good governance. They must sanitize the economy that, is the only path to avoid the ticking time bomb in the country. This country may possibly explode if the hunger and hardship persist. It is a matter of time but, it may not be too far away as the signs are there. The hunger in the land has gotten to an alarming stage. It is killing.
The government’s Renewed Hope must come with improvement in the quality of life. This rice sharing by the government is not and can never be a solution. The government can begin immediate cut down on cost of governance. Nigerian government as it is run is very expensive. It is gradually becoming difficult to sustain. When several billions were used in the purchase of a new presidential jet, buying of SUV jeeps for members of National Assembly, NASS, building of Vice President’s house, etc., you don’t expect your hungry citizens to smile and keep quiet. That was a clear case of callousness and insensitivity.
The President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu should damn all consequences and cleanse the oil industry from its claptrap. He can fix two refineries before the end of 2024. He should endeavour to end this export of our crude and, importation of the finished product for our domestic use. It is really shameful! The end of this shame will herald an economic turn-around for the country. A drastic step can be taken to ensure a permanent power supply in the country. Power stability is very crucial for an economy to grow and be sustained.
Nigerian government should do away with one of the two chambers of the NASS. They are too large for our financial comfort. Same with the humongous salaries and allowances paid to members of the NASS and executive arm. Let what the Revenue Mobilization office fixed as emoluments for members of NASS be maintained.
Uzodinma Nwaogbe
