OPINION: Of Protest, Defiance, and Narratives
BY TONY EKE –
An unusual feature of the build-up to the Hunger Protest which began last Thursday 1st August reflected the nature of the protest itself. At its wit’s end, the Federal Government not only dished out veiled threats to the protest planners but also made it seem as though the protest would bring about an apocalypse in the land. Two ill-conceived modes were eventually devised but failed because of the administration’s sheer propagandist proclivity. The first act sought to instil fears in the populace by referencing the tragic features of 2020’s ENDSARS, then followed by appeals for forbearance and patience as well as hackneyed reassurances of a brighter future amidst the difficulty of surviving even today or the next day.
Let’s get it clear. Even if the protest does not last for the envisaged duration, a statement would have been made. A protest needs not go on for many days to make an impact. After all, not too many people gave the protest a chance, and even those that probably staked money on its feasibility never thought it would hold in as many as five of the six geopolitical zones. Yet, it was held and on a comparative basis, the protest elicited wider participation more than the constitutional two-thirds requirement of electoral victory for a presidential candidate!
To be candid, I too was initially sceptical of the preparedness of the youthful segment to walk their talk. Given our lived experiences, Nigerians tend to show greater strength for talking and occasionally shouting themselves hoarse on fundamental issues but very uninspiring to action a plan earlier conceived to bolster their collective existence. Perhaps, the inherent constitution of Nigerians makes it difficult for our people to do what other nationals routinely embark on to improve their lives. Of course, our characteristic feature as a boisterous people that love life and satiate its goodies is a counterpoise to resistance in a generic sense.
In my earlier piece titled “Uhuru in Kenya Far Away From Nigeria”, I dismissed the prospect of any form of protest in Nigeria, even the minutest form of the Kenya’s model as captured in an excerpt: “Kenya shares similarities with Nigeria in some respects, but the social outlook of both countries as gleaned from the indifference of our citizens to embrace the path of civil protests differs significantly. Nigeria is not Kenya hence the echoes of Uhuru are far away from us. Why? The present generation of Nigerians, especially the youths whom the future is entrusted to, are enfeebled by numerous factors which include ethnic sentiments, sheer cowardice, unquestioning religiosity and obsession with an expectation of divine intervention in situations contrived by man.”
Less than a month after that publication, Nigerians chose of their own volition to walk a different path other than the predominant type which hitherto cast them in the mould of bondmen. A pleasant surprise to see a category of people who had long been dehumanized by serial misgovernment rouse themselves from long years of slumber. So, in a way, Nigerians have began to regain their voices which were drowned for much of the last quarter of a century. Before now, it’s been confounding to democracy watchers how we had always accepted all manner of policies initiated by government, including those intentionally purposed to mire us in deeper poverty and inextricable misery.
As it were, some proactive steps by Tinubu would have staved off the protest if he had met the key demands of the protesters halfway, with a promise to look into the remainder. In that case, those deaths and destructions would have been averted. Is Tinubu unaware that an early response to the grievances of citizens at a time of social unrest is the hallmark of good leadership? Unfortunately, a mix of inexperience, arrogance, insensitivity, and the likely perception of Nigeria from his narrow lenses of Lagos still under his stranglehold weakened Tinubu’s probable propensity to act decisively and appropriately.
The issues being protested against are common knowledge, being part of our daily encounters. We may be different in ethnicity, worldview, religious, and social inclinations, yet most Nigerians are facing similar existential problems that propelled the protest. So, a commonality of protesters’ narratives permeates the pervasive suffering, angst, and disappointments amongst our compatriots that took to the streets of major cities and towns. From Lagos to Borno State and Benin City to Kano, the hopelessness of today and the uncertainty of tomorrow are evident on the streets and in our troubled minds.
It’s however not too late for President Tinubu to review his economic policies which have stifled the lives of the majority of Nigerians. While he might see those measures as inevitable in his determination to resuscitate the country’s economy, he should seek ways to ameliorate the suffering across the country. His continual entreaty to the people to make sacrifices in the vain hope of a prosperous future does not resonate with us. Tinubu should something quickly to reduce hardship and hunger across the country. The earlier he does that, the better for the well-being of the citizens and stability of the country.
*Tony Eke, a journalist, based in Asaba, can be reached via tonek6819@gmail.com or 08035504896(text only).