Planned Protest: Let’s Jaw-Jaw, Not War-War!

Protest is an inalienable right of the citizens in any given country. A fundamental right, not privilege entrenched in every country’s constitution globally. That people can gather to register their displeasure against any or all of government policies at every given time is not even debatable. However, what is of paramountcy is time and its appropriateness. That Nigeria is on the edge with inflation reaching a crescendo is but an open and shut fact. That the disposable income of every household has become almost worthless as too much money continues to chase too few goods is a verity. But in all of these exacerbating experiences, is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acting aloof or undisturbed? Of course not.

I recall in a number of several public engagements of Mr. President, he has always alluded to the harsh economic realities in the country. And has always sued for patience from members of the public with his administration as several efforts are also being made to stem the tide and cushion the effect of the stark reality that stirs us in the face today. It may be argued that Mr. President’s appeal may not have sat down well with majority because these information as to government’s efforts at ameliorating the situation are not being properly communicated in spite of the preponderance of media aides that surround the president. But who do we blame for the lack of synergy and coordination among these aides?

Today, Nigeria faces an existential threat with this planned protest if allowed to proceed as ‘plotted’, not because the people have no right to protest; but because it is largely a plot by a particular section of the country to throw the country into avoidable conflagration capable of swallowing even the kith and kin of its backers. It is also evident that the said protest had been hijacked by those with vested interest even before its official kick-off date. One Sulaiman Yakubu from Jos, Plateau was seen in a viral video already calling for arson against police stations, barracks, bakeries, markets and all what not. How could anyone still believe such protest could be free of destruction? Plateau State is reputed for volatility and with such call, the atmosphere is already charged.

Barely four (4) years ago, Lagos State witnessed what could perhaps pass for its worst experience in protest with the #EndSARS dastardly act. We all witnessed how Lagos was under coordinated instruction to set it on ruins. Till date, the State has not come to terms with its loss that ran into trillions of Naira. The many police stations razed down. The number of BRT buses burnt to ashes. The destruction of West Africa’s biggest forensic laboratory infrastructure built by the State Government not to talk of High Court, media house, banks, hotels and other private businesses that were affected. Can the country afford another of such painful experience as everything about the planned protest points in that direction as of today?

The current hunger is a global phenomenon that leaves no country out. Inflation is biting harder even in saner countries – the United Kingdom, France, Australia, the United States, Germany, Canada, and even in Africa countries that include but not limited to Egypt, South Africa and Ghana. The United Kingdom in nearly a decade and half has had not less than 6 Prime Ministers that include David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and lately, Rishi Sunak. One thing that is common to all of the UK’s former PMs is the economy. They were not replaced because of politics or war, death or anything but because of the country’s wobbling economy. The undernamed had a discussion with a senior progressive who is domiciled in Canada, Sir ‘Bayo Adedosu and his position is simply that Canada has never had it terribly bad until now. So, it rains everywhere!

The question is, can Nigeria afford any protest at this material time? Definitely, no. Country is tough, hard and indescribably excruciating, but truth remains the planned protest can only make things worse. It will be akin to moving from frying pan to fire. As many as the organisers may not have bad intentions, many abound who are only waiting for the opportunity to carry out their nefarious plot. The Sulaiman Yakubu man from Jos, Plateau State is one of the millions out there who cannot wait for the protest to start before they unleash their mayhem. Today, those goading Nigerians to go on protest are outside the country. Peter Obi, Yele Sowore amongst others are both outside Nigeria with their families at the moment.

As I conclude, I will like to ask the organisers if ‘they’ have exhausted every other mechanism that preclude protest? The D2CP of dialogue, consultation, compromise and protest is available to explore, and protest should be the last option. What the undernamed will like to suggest is for the organisers to toe the path of dialogue. Have a talk with the government with their demands. It is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war. Protest should be the last resort. Give the current Federal Government that benefit of doubt as some of the released demands are already work-in-progress.

I pray we allow reason prevail. Let us jaw-jaw, not war-war

– OMOGBOLAHAN L.A. BABAWALE
Public Affairs Analyst
Convener/Lead Resource Person
The Think-Tinubu Initiative (3TI)
riches.babs@gmail.com/officialczar2@gmail.com