Again a national protest to demand good governance and a better standard of living led by civil society groups, trade unions and human rights activists is in the offing in Nigeria.
Though Nigerians and successive governments are not alien to such protest, the morbid experiences from the #EndSARS protest that started on October 8, 2020 , in the country and the wanton destruction of property and loss of lives in the ongoing protest in Kenya seemed to have opened a new vista in the annals of protests in the Africa continent.
More so that in the planned national protest the groups are not only addressing several issues affecting average Nigeria’s ability to have a decent standard of living, they are demanding for better accountability and transparency of a government that promised Nigerians Renewed Hope .
With the date of the planned protest against hunger and hardship getting closer, August 1, 2024, stakeholders have drummed their opposition against the protest.
Concerned that the protest might take place despite an appeal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they cautioned that only proper dialogue and no threat can halt the protest.
Reiterating their advice, they called on President Tinubu to address the organisers of the planned protest as no threat can halt the protest.
Commenting on the planned national protest, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN) told LEADERSHIP Weekend that only proper dialogue with the organisers of the planned protest, and not threat, will help to halt the planned protest.
According to the human rights lawyer, Falana, Threats Won’t stop the planned national protest.
Falana said “While the federal government overnment and security agencies have cautioned against the demonstrations, threats won’t aid the shelving of the protest.
“So, this time around the government should try to identify the leaders of the movement and then engage them, and then the questions be raised. There are demands that are being made, and the government should address these demands.”
Likewise on his part, Barrister Olisa Agbakoba in a chat with LEADERSHIP Weekend said “The present situation calls for utmost cooperation and dialogue on the part of Government and Labour.
Agbakoba stressed that “I feel that the government can engage the organisers in a very transparent and accountable process to request time to engage in very open and frank discussions.”
“I believe that Nigeria is going through very challenging times, perhaps the toughest in our history.
“The present situation calls for utmost cooperation and dialogue on the part of the government and organisers of the planned protest. I feel that the government can engage them in a very transparent and accountable process to request time to engage in very open and frank discussions.
“This will require the government to actually present its financial position. Many believe the government is not as forthcoming. So the people aren’t convinced. The first process is for the government to engage them in complete trust and openness. The organisers ought to accept this process as a protest will have devastating consequences on already suffering Nigerians.
‘’I will support the protest as a very last option. A nationwide protest means a major call to action and is almost a final position. They have every reason to be completely disappointed and dissatisfied. But I urge you to hold fire as Nigeria is in an extremely fragile position. I urge them to request government to appoint a special mediator who will bring independence and neutrality to the assignment and not the ministers who have a closed view.’’
Agbakoba added that, “The solution lies in the appointment of a credible person or persons of undoubted transparency. Chief Emeka Anyaoku comes to mind, who can also act as a credible mediator. I warn we cannot afford disruption in a very weak and fragile economy so it is in the government’s hand to take all possible measures to avert such protest.”
Interestingly, the leadership Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) who did not take part in #EndSar protest also exonerated the union’s involvement in this fresh protest scheduled to take place in August.
Comrade Joe Ajaero, who wondered how some people have been saying that NLC withdrew from the planned protest said, “NLC cannot withdraw from protest it did not know the origin.”
Ajaero stated that, “A news report of the withdrawal of the Nigeria Labour Congress from the widely discussed national protest has been brought to our attention. The Nigeria Labour Congress debunks such a story as patently false.
‘’The truth is that the Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise. It is only the organisers of the speculated national protest that can decide to pull out or continue with the protest.”
Ajaero explained that, the fact NLC is not involving itself in this protest does not mean the union “does not mean that Organised Labour is oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of the government. The Nigeria Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in these very trying and excruciating times.
“Pursuant to proactive engagement with the issues canvassed by the protest organisers, we have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leaders of the protest movement to dialogue on their demands. We have advised that it would be counter-productive for the government to meet the widespread anger in the land with brute force.”
And also Ajaero said, “We implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and do the needful. After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God.”
On their part, the Senate president of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Babatunde Akinteye Afeez said until the entire body meets and deliberates on the national strike, the body can come up with a decision whether to join the protest or not.
For the Joint Action Front (JAF) the language the ruling class understands is protest, indicating their readiness to join in the protest because it is meant to address the issues that concerns the masses.
JAF General Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu told LEADERSHIP Weekend that the union will join the national protest. He said, “Your question is like asking one and half a dozen, since it is meant to seek remedy to the current economic situation, we will join irrespective of which state it takes place in.”
The protesters have also declared that if any protester is killed, maimed, or arrested during the protest, they will not back down until President Tinubu and his entire cabinet resigns.
Those planning the protest had demanded fuel price reduction and revert petrol pump price to N100 per litre; that the federal government address the problem of insecurity and hunger.
Others are total implementation of electoral reform and conduct an independent probe into the electoral budget of N355 billion.
Release #EndSARS Detainees: Immediate release of all #EndSARS protesters still in detention; living wage implemented and payment of a living wage with a minimum of N300,000.
They are also clamouring for free Education, that is compulsory free education from primary to secondary school and an education grant at the tertiary level.
Other demands are public school mandates by ensuring that children of all public office holders attend public schools in the country. Support of local products, that government must patronize made-in-Nigeria goods: Transition to a unicameral legislature; Judicial and Constitutional Reforms: Implement thorough judicial and constitutional reforms: Scraping of the 1999 Constitution and replace it with a people-made constitution through a Sovereign National Conference, followed by a National Referendum.
They are also seeking the abolishment of the senate, saying the House of Representatives be retained to make laws on a part-time basis.
As it concerns education, they want huge investment in education, ensuring free and compulsory education across the country.
They are also seeking unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demilitarization of the South East.
As far as they are concerned the government has no option but to reinstate a corruption-free subsidy regime to reduce hunger, starvation, and poverty.
‘’ Probe past and present Nigerian leaders who have looted the treasury, recover their loot, and reinvest it. Restructure Nigeria to accommodate its diversity, resource control, decentralization, and regional development. Reform security agencies to stop human rights violations and enhance citizens’ physical security. Establish a Special Energy Fund for power sector development. Reconstitute INEC to remove corrupt and partisan officials. Invest in public works and industrialisation to employ Nigerian youths.
‘’ Shake up the judiciary to remove corrupt judges and officers, ensuring real justice for citizens. Introduce diaspora voting to allow Nigerians abroad to vote.’’
