The announcement of a citizens-led #EndBadGovernmentinNigeria protest should have been no surprise given the economic downturn, the insidious hunger, and the pervasive sense of hopelessness in the country. Sadly, the government’s reaction and provocative utterances about the planned protests have reflected a deep disconnect with the people’s reality. Even worse than the disconnection is the attempt to demonise the valid demands of the hungry populace and brand it as the work of opposition parties.
Resorting to frenzied and alarmist actions including looking for ways to demonise and discredit the protest, and searching for imaginary sponsors of the protests have only bolstered the courage of the people who fear the loss of their voices and dignity in an oligarchy posing as a democracy. Sponsoring individuals, groups, traditional rulers and religious leaders to speak strongly against the protests; getting the Lagos traditional institution to announce a “curious Oro” festival coinciding with the period of the protests; the Attorney General of the Federation going to a “Captured Judiciary” to secure an order of court restricting the protest in Lagos to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and the Peace Park in Ketu; making doomsday scenario references to Venezuela; promising to slash salaries of the national representatives by half for six months, allowing thugs to threaten citizens not to come out for any protest and sundry other clandestine actions underscore a complete lack sensitivity and understanding of the nation’s predicament and the people’s disaffection.
The office of the citizen is the highest in a democracy. To make it impossible for citizens to express themselves or criminalise their right to free assembly in peaceful protest is an unacceptable descent into dictatorship. Peaceful protests are a constitutionally protected right of citizens and the rational response from a democratic and well-meaning government would have been a call for national dialogue, and more importantly, a commitment to definite actions to be implemented in the next few weeks. It is not too late for the Tinubu administration to allow citizens to freely express their disagreement with government policies and programs through peaceful protests.
The determination of citizens to execute the protests peacefully from August 1 to August 10, 2024, reflects the failure of the government’s underhanded and patronizing tactics to placate the people. It is now the responsibility of the government to ensure the security of the protesters, stop criminal elements from hijacking the protest, and importantly, create opportunities to listen to the citizens.
To act otherwise will be tragic. Painful memories of #EndSars still linger. The world is watching and citizens are no longer docile. The mistakes of the past should not be repeated, especially in light of ongoing agitations in other African countries. We, therefore, make bold to state in precise terms that the authoritarian and intolerant reflex that has characterized the government’s statements and actions in the build-up to the protest has no place in a democratic country.
These protests planned from August 1, 2024, provide the impetus and the opportunity for the government to rethink its actions of the past 14 months and make the needed changes. The pain, suffering and hardship in Nigeria are real and cannot be politicised. The government should eat the humble pie and urgently go back to the drawing board to initiate new people-centred policies to ameliorate the pain and anger across Nigeria.
Anthony Ubani
Executive Director, #FixPolitics Africa
August 1, 2024
Abuja, Nigeria
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