“We’ve exhausted all other avenues – appeals, petitions, even voting. Now, the people have no choice but to take to the streets and make their voices heard,”
Abubakar
By Abdulrahman Aliagan
As Nigeria braces for a nationwide protest against the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu, the country finds itself at a critical juncture, with citizens divided on the merits and risks of taking to the streets.
On one side, a growing chorus of Nigerians is adamant that peaceful protest is a fundamental right and a necessary tool to hold the government accountable. They point to Tinubu’s own history as a champion of civil disobedience, having been at the forefront of protests against previous administrations’ unpopular policies.
“President Tinubu is a living beneficiary of protests,” said Fatima Abubakar, a civil society activist. “He knows firsthand the power of the people to demand change through collective action. To now deny Nigerians that same right would be the height of hypocrisy.”
Abubakar and others argue that the planned August 1-10 demonstrations are a legitimate response to the Tinubu government’s perceived failures, particularly the controversial removal of fuel subsidies that has led to skyrocketing prices at the pump.
“We’ve exhausted all other avenues – appeals, petitions, even voting. Now, the people have no choice but to take to the streets and make their voices heard,” Abubakar said.
However, not everyone is convinced that protest is the best course of action. Some Nigerians, wary of the potential for chaos and destruction, have cautioned against the planned demonstrations.
“History has shown us that these kinds of protests can easily spiral out of control,” said Gbenga Olorunfemi, a Lagos-based security analyst. “Hoodlums and opportunists will inevitably try to hijack the situation for their own nefarious ends, leading to violence, looting, and even loss of life.”
Olorunfemi pointed to past protests in Nigeria, where initially peaceful demonstrations have descended into pandemonium, with public and private property damaged and innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
“President Tinubu has a responsibility to maintain law and order and protect the lives and livelihoods of all Nigerians,” Olorunfemi said. “Allowing these protests to proceed unchecked could invite chaos and undermine the stability of the nation.”
Yet, for many Nigerians, the risk of unrest is outweighed by the urgent need to address the country’s economic woes. They argue that the government’s policies, particularly the fuel subsidy removal, have disproportionately burdened the poor and middle class, exacerbating the hardships faced by millions.
“We understand the concerns about potential violence, but the reality is that the people are suffering,” said Abubakar. “Something has to be done, and peaceful protest is a time-honored way to drive change. The government must listen to the people’s demands and find constructive solutions.”
Omoyele Sowore
Meanwhile, in an attempt to bring attention to the country’s governance issues.
Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has announced the locations of protest coordinators across Nigeria for the upcoming #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstration.
According to Sowore, a former presidential candidate, the protest will take place in 35 states nationwide.
He also invited Nigerians who wish to participate in the campaign to add their towns or cities if they are not already listed.
According to the activist, the designated locations for the protest in Lagos are Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Lekki/Ajah axis, Badagry, Ikeja and Epe.
For Kano State, the location is Kano city; Bauchi State – locations are Azare and Bauchi town. Enugu State – locations are Enugu city and the university town of Nsukka; Jigawa State – locations are Dutse and Kazaure; Ekiti State – locations are Ado-Ekiti and Ikere-Ekiti; Cross River State – location is Calabar.
For the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – locations are Gwags and Central Business District; Imo State – Owerri; Abia State – Aba and Umuahia; Anambra State – Awka and Onitsha; Ebonyi State – Abakaliki; Akwa Ibom State – Uyo; Kaduna State – Kaduna town and Zaria; Kwara State – Ilorin and Offa; Borno State – Biu and Maiduguri; Edo State – Benin and Auchi.
Bayelsa State – Brass and Yenagoa; Yobe State – Damaturu; Zamfara State – Gusau and Kaura Namoda; Nasarawa State – Keffi and Lafia; Sokoto State – Sokoto town; Plateau State – Jos; Oyo State – Oyo town and Ogbomosho; Ondo State – Akure, Ondo, Ore and Owo; Niger State – Suleja and Minna; Benue State – Gboko and Makurdi.
Delta State – Ughelli, Asaba, Warri, Sapele; Kogi State – Kabba, Okene and Lokoja; Rivers State – Port-Harcourt; Kebbi state – Birnin Kebbi and Gwandu; Katsina State – Daura and Katsina. Osun State – Ile-Ife, Oshogbo, Iwo, Ilesha and Ede; Ogun State – Ijebu-Ode, Shagamu, Ilaro and Abeokuta; Taraba State – Jalingo.
Nyesom Wike
His position, Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), noted that he has yet to receive any application for the use of Eagle Square, Abuja, as a protest ground.
Wike spoke on Saturday at a town hall meeting in the FCT, where he dissuaded residents from participating in the nationwide protest billed for August 1-10.
The demonstration, dubbed ’10 Days of Rage’, is to protest the economic hardship.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders, including the presidency, federal and state governments, traditional and religious leaders, have appealed to citizens to shelve the protest.
Wike acknowledged that protests are a right but added that demonstrations targeted at destabilising the government will not be allowed.
Listing President Bola Tinubu’s accomplishments, Wike said the minimum wage has been increased in addition to the set up of a student loan scheme.
According to him, “This will not solve all the problems but at least to cushion the hardship a bit,” he said.
Lanre Issa-Onilu DG, NOA
In an epistle of peace released by the Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu titled, ‘Burning Down the Barn’.
Onilu wrote:
“The proponents of violent protests are not relenting. They have fixed August 1 to August 10 as the days of rage. They are insisting that the house must be burnt down in anger. Like W. B. Yeats’ wrote in his poem, The Second Coming, “the falcon no longer hears the falconer.” In this case, the champions of violence are not willing to listen to wise counsel. There’s a loss of order and guidance as the forces of chaos and destruction no longer heed the call of reason.
“To what end are many Nigerians asking? The desire to destabilise the country has always existed. It is a combination of dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and a penchant for chaos among certain citizens who harbour resentment for the country and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The option to cut their nose to spite their face is perplexing. Just how far does their discontent extend?
“There is no denying the prevailing hardship and the weight of pain Nigerians are experiencing. However, we must also acknowledge that the foundation for the current situation was laid before this government took over on May 29, 2023. Past governments have made many bad choices over the decades, which have pushed the country precariously to the cliff edge. It is beyond reason that successive governments opted to kick the dirty can down the road, leaving it for the next guy to bell the cat.
“The option we had pre-2023 elections was to go for the broke. We needed a President who could pull us away from the tipping edge and who dared to apply the necessary measures, even if that would bring temporary pains. Many Nigerians rooted for President Tinubu because he fitted the bill. He is a man of courage and conviction. He is hands-on, always focusing on the outcomes. He has an outstanding pedigree in governance. He is a proven reformer. And he is not given to pleasing the crowd. Personalities with these attributes don’t enroll in popularity contests. They would instead do what is right. And the end always justifies them.
“Reforms. Bold reforms are what Nigeria needs now. This is what the Tinubu administration has embarked on. This government has taken a number of courageous decisions aimed at revamping the economy and bringing prosperity to the citizens. We cannot achieve this in a day. Seeds take time to germinate. Hunger, however, cannot be cured by mere hope of a bountiful harvest. But hope has its essence. It can be a springboard for patience. And patience is needed for the country to reap the fruitful outcomes of the outstanding reforms of President Tinubu’s administration. Shall we then exercise restraint? Shall we pull together at this critical period and prevent those who do not mean well for the country from burning down the barn?” He concluded.
As the countdown to the planned protests continues, Nigeria finds itself at a crossroads. The outcome will not only shape the trajectory of Tinubu’s presidency but also test the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions and the government’s ability to balance the competing interests of stability and civic participation.
