On August 1st, Nigeria witnessed a powerful surge of dissent through the #EndBadGovernanceProtest. The movement, driven by frustration over economic hardship and perceived government failures brought to the fore the untold hardship currently faced by Nigerians while also highlighting a critical shift in the country’s socio-political landscape. The protest revealed a growing divide between the masses and the established leaders of civil societies and religious organisations who, despite repeated calls for organisers to call off the action, failed to prevent the protest from gaining momentum.
The protest, a form of uprising signifies a new reality where a headless mass, fueled by frustration and disillusionment, pushes relentlessly against the walls of systemic failure. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a civil mass action of this magnitude was without established leaders, thus highlighting the severity of the issues at stake.
The protest, largely peaceful in several states stands as a testament to the demonstrators’ commitment to nonviolent change. Places like Jos, traditional crisis flashpoints witnessed the mother of all peaceful protests, a confirmation that Nigerians could rise above their differences when faced with common challenges that threaten their very existence.
Sadly, the mass action was marred by unfortunate instances of looting and vandalism in places like Kano and Jigawa. Notwithstanding, these actions, while condemnable, should not overshadow the legitimacy of the protesters’ demands. They are a cry for relief in a country where hunger and hardship have reached unprecedented levels, on the back of president Tinubu’s preference for textbook economics and neoliberal policies where a humane middle ground ought to have been charted.
But if Nigerians have been frustrated by the almost nonexistent pace of the promised progress, the President’s response to the protests was worst. President Tinubu’s speech amounts to a missed opportunity to genuinely address the grievances of the Nigerian people. His offhand dismissal of demands for the return of the fuel subsidy and the cessation of dollar floating serves to rather exacerbate the situation and therefore failed to inspire confidence that the administration is attuned to the plight of its citizens. The flat rejection of these key issues suggests a disconnect between the government and the everyday realities faced by Nigerians.
The presidential rhetoric appears to confirm senator Ali Ndume’s recent claims that the president is indeed being shielded from the realities on ground and this is rather unfortunate. The president’s address sure has the undertone of a retort, something only people who have been misinforming the president would have put together.
Even worst, is the president’s evasion of the critical issue of the use of lethal force by security forces against protesters. This blackening act sends a chilling message: that Nigerian lives are undervalued and this is unacceptable. The president’s silence on this matter not only undermines the government’s commitment to human rights but also erodes public trust. In this regards, every Nigerian felled by the bullet of a security agent in the remaining days of this protest could have been physically fired by the president. As commander in-chief, his decision not to publicly condemn the use of force is an endorsement of the highly unprofessional actions of our security forces.
The president had the opportunity to call off the protest by at least meeting the protester halfway. Yet, his failure to really take a firm stand against how protesters were harried, harangued and harassed especially very close to him in the nation’s capital is most worrisome.
If we have learnt anything from this #EndBadGovernanceProtest it is that the Nigerian people are unwilling to remain passive in the face of adversity. The movement therefore underscores the urgent need for genuine dialogue and reforms that prioritise the welfare of all citizens. The government must seize this moment to bridge the gap between its policies and the needs of the people, lest the wall of discontent grow too formidable to withstand.
