The much-awaited ‘days of rage’ protests have begun. True to their promise of staging protests across the length and breadth of Nigeria over bad governance and hunger, thousands of protesters trooped to the streets and major roads in many parts of the country on August 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 2024.
However, despite assurances from some of the so-called ‘faceless’ supporters of the protests, that it would be peaceful, the protests have to some extent turned out to be violent in some states of the Federation. In some instances, buildings, vehicles, both private and government, were burnt, vandalized or destroyed with shops and stores looted. Law enforcement officers shot and killed some protesters. Suicide bombers were not left out of the mayhem.
Despite the advance notice given to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration of the impending protests, it was surprising the Federal Government did nothing meaningful to avert the protests. Honestly, I thought President Tinubu would use his ‘magic wand’ to prevent the protests. Did the Federal Government take the threat as unserious? If it was only to save lives and property of Nigerians, which is the first responsibility of the government, President Tinubu should have been more proactive. Has there ever been a protest on the scale of nation-wide that was ever peaceful? Why allow unnecessary loss of lives and properties?
In the first two days of the protests up to the third, scheduled to last 10 days, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration did not address the nation, to, at least appeal to Nigerians, show them empathy and give them hope. Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte said ‘a leader is a dealer in hope’. President Tinubu could have done something to assuage the rage and anger of the Nigerian masses. He could have announced a reduction in pump price of petroleum products; give Nigerians a timeline, based on his policies, on when prices of foodstuff would come down, which have skyrocketed, tripled or quadrupled since he came to power.
He could have reduced electricity tariffs. But, no. President Tinubu said and did nothing. However, maybe he did something while the common people protested, if we are to take the Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio seriously. Akpabio told Nigerians to go ahead with their protests while he and his likes would stay at home and enjoy.
What are some of the demands of the protesters that the Federal Government cannot consider? All political appointees should be on the same salary structure as Civil Servants. This is to reduce the cost of governance. Reduction of fuel price and electricity tariffs. Nigeria’s refineries should work and new ones built. Protesters still in captivity over ENDSARS protests four years ago should be released. Total reversal of increase in school fees in the last one year. Pay Nigerian workers a living wage. Make life meaningful for ordinary Nigerians.
In saner climes, these demands are basic necessities of life. They are not asking for the moon.
In a democracy, the people have the constitutional right to protest if the need arises just as Tinubu led some Nigerians to demonstrate against the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2012. Going biblical, whatever a man soweth, he reaps. It is a question of time. Nigerians have the right to demonstrate when necessary, as it is now, to show displeasure with bad governance and hunger. As it is said, in a democracy, the people get the kind of government they deserve. President Tinubu was validly elected, so the Courts said. It is in 2027 that Nigerians would have another opportunity to make their electoral choice at the Federal level. But between now and 2027, Nigerians deserve good governance. If we can’t have it, let’s be patient. Nobody should call for a revolution.
The removal of fuel subsidy by President Tinubu while being sworn in as President on May 29, 2023, is the genesis of the present economic upheaval Nigerians are passing through, although Nigerian masses have historically suffered from the consequences of bad leadership from the ruling class. Is it that President Tinubu and his aides do not believe that there is hunger in the land? On Day One of the protests, along Ikponmwen Road, off Benin-Auchi Road, around Orora Community, I witnessed the brute display of hunger, anger and rage of Nigerian youths. Hungry and angry people, including thieves, from about 7am to 2pm, were on rampage on a building of two flats. One of the flats hoarded hundreds or thousands of 10kg bags of rice. For hours, the hoodlums kept banging on the gate to be opened. The owner of the flat refused. Unrelenting, some of the rioters climbed the roof of both flats. They destroyed the zincs of both flats and from there started carting away the bags of rice from one of the flats. Governments at all levels should make no mistake and note that there is hunger in the land.
What manner of a father would watch his children die of hunger and penury when he has abundance? Was this what President Tinubu promised Nigerians that he would put them in hunger and starvation and turn them to beggars and scavengers?
John F. Kennedy said ‘if a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich’. How long should the masses endure this present hunger before succour comes? Time has come for Nigerian leaders to end the paradox of Nigeria – Rich Nation, Poor People. Ordinary Nigerians cannot continue to suffer lack in their nation blessed with so many natural resources. Blessed with fertile lands in most parts of the country; blessed with a huge youthful population, which, if harnessed by visionary leadership, will be an asset rather than a liability.
The ruling elites must realize that with social media, information about their looting spree is always at the finger tips of most of these hungry and angry populations. While most Nigerians keep praying for law and order, Nigeria’s political elite must reckon that rather than the masses continuing to die of hunger in the midst of plenty, the masses are realizing that it is better to confront the ruling political elite who put them in hunger through bad governance. Where the confrontation will lead to is anybody’s guess.
Uwadia, a columnist and social commentator, writes from Benin City
