By Ejiro Nesisa
The much awaited #Endbadgovernance protest which was billed for 1st of August to 10th August,2024 to tell the Federal Government of the hunger and suffering Nigerians pass through has come and gone but Nigerians would not in a hurry to forget this day as a result of its negative effects on their lives. If there is nothing to remember, one will not be in hurry to forget that the protest, as envisaged, was hijacked by hoodlums where many people’s property either looted or were destroyed just as many people died as a result of stray bullets from law enforcement agents in their attempt to maintain law and order while the protest lasted.
According reports, the protest held sway especially in Northern part of Nigeria such as Kaduna and Kano to mention but a few. Reports had it that, in the North, the protest took a different dimension as protesters protested holding Russian flag and calling on its President, Vladimir Putin to intervene on the affairs of Nigerian, an implication, according to Analysts, is dangerous since Nigeria is sovereign state.
It was clear that barely two days into the protest, the Federal Government headed by President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation. According to reports, while it expected that the President would address key issues of the protest to douse the tension in this regard, Nigerians were surprised to hear that Mr President’s speech was geared towards the progress he purportedly have made over one year his administration.
It is note worthy that, with the President’s speech, anger and frustration are written more boldly on the faces of Nigerians. Nigerians’ frustration was expressed this morning Monday, 12, 2024 when Nigerian Human Rights Activist and Pro-democracy campaigner, Sowore, one of those fighting for the good of Nigerians which is why the protest, in an interview with Voice of America(VOA) was reported to have said the bigger protest would be staged in the month of October this year if the President fails to address the challenges of Nigerians as regards hunger and starvation.
Against this background, Bailout Magazine sought the opinions of Nigerians as regards the just concluded protest, President’s broadcast over the protest and possible future protest and its outcome.
The General Overseer, Family House International Church, Warri, Delta State, Pastor Emmanuel Osiegbu said the continued protest in Nigeria may degenerate into revolution in Nigeria. According to him, any country that does not learn from history has itself to blame. He said, the world is full of history of Revolution and a quick example is the French Revolution where the system became so corrupt as the people were being oppressed saying that, everything that is happening in Nigeria now was what happened then, that led to the Revolution. He said Revolution started in 1789 adding that, what is happening in Nigeria, a revolution is eminent by next year if something was not done to salvage the problem.
The Cleric appreciated Sowore’s efforts in fighting for Nigerians. He said: “I like what Sowore is doing”. He said, the President’s speech did not address the challenges of Nigeria and if care is not taken, it can gradually snowball into Revolution. It is on record that French Revolution started 5th May 1789 – 9th November, 1799. The King then, King Louis XVI needed more money, but had failed to raise more taxes when he had called a meeting of the Estates General which turned into a protest in France.
His words:”There’s certainly no hope for Nigeria and Nigerians in the President’s speech. He did not address in specific terms any of the grievances of the protesters. A government that thrives on propaganda and unfulfilled promises should not be trusted with this beating about the bush rhetoric called a speech. A responsible government ought to be full of comforting and cushioning words of love and empathy rather than dishing out veiled threats of jackboot and repressive antics to scare protesters… This government isn’t sincere.” He therefore advised the Federal Government to hear the yearning of the people before it results into revolution.
On his part, the Chairman, Board of Trustee, Citizens’ Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative a.k.a Human Rights Protection Congress, Amb.(Pastor) Edewor Egedegbe said Sowore is fighting a good fight for Nigerians. He said of a truth, the President’s speech did not address the challenges Nigerians are facing. According to Amb. (Pastor) Egedegbe, Bola Tinubu should attend to the yearnings of Nigerians adding that, President has no excuse to not give the people what they want because he contested and promised to put Nigeria on good pedestal. According to him, Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources but the problem is leadership adding that, Nigerians can’t be suffering amidst abundant natural resources.
Amb.(Pastor) Egedegbe who is also the Founding Executive Director Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative and helmsman of Value Rebirth Centre LSD Leadership School Delta Study Centre said, the President, in whatever situation ,should rise to the occasion. He however raised concern over the way the protest was hijacked by some hoodlums which led to the destruction and looting of property in one hand and the death of some Nigerians on the other.
His words:” …for me, what President said during his response to the protesters didn’t really speak to the issue- it did not address the concern raised by many Nigerians who protested. However, we can give him the benefit of this month to the end of September to see tangible fruits of whatever statements he made. But I condemned in totality every hijack of the protesters either by those who intentionally did that or those sponsored by the government to cause disaffection in the genuine #Endbadgovernace in Nigeria.
“So, to my mind, Mr. President is to respond to the concern raised by Nigerians who mean well for this country. If he volunteered to serve Nigerians on the capacity of President,…he has no excuse to justify his failure.. we are so blessed in this country, it is his management and leadership that is failing us on every side, so, he should wake up”
Others who spoke to Bailout Magazine shared the same opinion. They called on President Bola Tinubu to address the challenges of the country in this regard to save the country from imminent revolution.