Contrary to the desire of the people in government and at the corridors of power, the protest, tagged #EndBadGovernance, took off today, 1st of August, 2024, across the country.
The agitators had, before the commencement of the protest, given a one-month notice. They also notified the appropriate authorities that the protest would last 10 days, to end on the 10th of August.
The protesters took to the streets, from Abuja, the federal seat of power, to Lagos, through Kaduna, Borno, Kano, Oyo, Ondo and other states. The agitators expressed their grievances in protest against the perceived ills in the country.
Expectedly newsmen, conventional and citizen journalists, had a field day, recording and reporting the protest carried out by the patriotic Nigerians. The protest was in line with their rights as Nigerian citizens, as stated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Reports indicated that the Day One of the protest was generally peaceful in most part of the country. However, businesses and commercial activities were disrupted. Banks were under lock and key, while major roads were almost totally free of vehicular movement.
The protest was not devoid of abuses. Cases of violence, shootings, killings, lootings and arson were reported. These were said to be the case in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT ), Niger, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Katsina states and the NCC Hub in Kano State, among others.
The agitators were and are protesting against bad governance, poverty, hardship, increasing cost of living, hunger and starvation, among others in Nigeria.
These issues, stated as the reasons for the protest, have been going on in the country for years, but now on the increase under the incumbent President Bola Tinubu administration. But the Federal Government has kept mum, obviously impassive to the pains and agonies of the people.
The President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, apparently worsened the situation. He was reported, only few days ago, to have insensitively mocked the agitators by saying: “Those who want to protest can protest but let us be here eating.”
The demands listed as the reason for the protest are nothing new. The Federal Government is not doing anything to improve the economy of Nigeria. Rather, it has been putting Nigerians under pressure.
The government has failed to proffer lasting solutions to the various problems confronting the country and the people. Rather, President Tinubu has been busy giving out palliatives which cannot reach even one-tenth of the populace.
However, the president should not forget that we have our rights, just like him. By the virtue of his position, he is the father of us all. He should look at the demands as contained in the protest.
We are supposed to have freedom and peace in our dear country. Sadly, it has been the other way round. We should not be forced to do things we don’t want to do.
The protest gave a full explanation on what to be done to the situation of Nigeria. The demanded that the people should not be further stressed. We are meant to be one, a united nation.
Tinubu has tried to make a difference. For instance, he reportedly dolled out the sum of ₦50,000 to youths as palliative. He was said to have, among others, released 20 trucks of rice to each state. This was in addition to a report that he has ordered the sales of 50kg bags of rice at ₦40,000 per bag.
However, the measures are not enough. They are merely a token, like treating leprosy with paracetamol. We need to be free. Nigerians are tired of this sad situation that seems unending. The government should do more.
The agitators embarked upon the protest, probably because they think if they should do that, the government might make a change. The onus rest on the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, to do something.
The Federal Government must demonstrate that it is truly out to serve and ensure the welfare and security of the people. There should be an end to having protest over basic necessities of life!!!
•Thought (edited) of Demilade Falade, a 10-year-old primary school leaver, on the State of the Nation.
