A number of issues have arisen about the nationwide hunger protests which Nigerian youths embarked upon on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The protest, billed to last until August 10, was tagged #EndBadGovernance protest. The protesters demanded, among others, the reduction in fuel price and electricity tariff, cut in the cost of governance and good governance generally.
No doubt, the youths have a right to protest as long as the protest is peaceful. Initially, it started on a peaceful note. Unfortunately, it was hijacked by hoodlums who went violent and started looting and vandalizing public properties. This happened in Kano, Kaduna and some other northern states. Even with the imposition of 24-hour curfew in some of these states, the situation did not abate. We condemn the wanton destruction of properties. Resorting to violence to press home certain demands does not bring solution to any problem. Rather, it worsens it.
Regrettably, there were reports that security agents tried to disperse protesters in Abuja and some other places by firing live ammunition. Some people got killed. Many others were injured. Even journalists covering the protest were not spared. Some of them were wounded and their working tools destroyed. We condemn the use of live ammunition by security agents to control the situation. On no account should security agents use live ammunition to disperse unarmed protesters.
The same thing happened in Bangladesh. Police used live ammunition on protesters, killing hundreds of them and injuring hundreds more. This did not stop angry protesters from storming the official residence of Prime Minister Sheik Hasina, who resigned and fled to India on Monday. The protesters demanded scrapping of quotas for government jobs and resignation of the Prime Minister.
We should take a cue from how security agents in civilized countries handle protesters. The United Kingdom has been beset by riots in the past few days, but the police never used live ammunition to control the rioters who have been destructive in their riots.
Nevertheless, Nigerians should be mindful of their actions and statements. Some people, in the name of protest, started waving Russian flag in some parts of the North. This is unhealthy and unpatriotic. It is good that some culprits have been arrested in Kaduna and have been arraigned.
We commend President Bola Tinubu for his intervention so far. Last Sunday, the President made a nationwide broadcast to assuage the anger of Nigerians. He reeled out what his administration is doing to put the economy in shape. He appealed to the youths to sheathe their swords and suspend their protest. He also warned those who have latched on to the protest to fan the embers of ethnic bigotry to desist from such.
But not a few Nigerians expressed disappointment in the President’s speech. The feeling is that he failed to address the fundamental issues which led to the protest in the first place. We call for patience among Nigerians. Tinubu has only spent a little over one year in office. Let’s give him a little more time to see if there will be significant changes.
We urge the President to hearken to the complaints of Nigerians and initiate policies that will ameliorate the plight of the poor masses. Today, the cost of living is so high. Prices of essential commodities are beyond the reach of many Nigerians. We believe that if the government cuts the cost of governance and tighten the loose ends in the management of our economy, things will change for the better. What riles many citizens more is seeing the profligacy in government quarters while the masses are dying of hunger. There is no justifiable reason for the government to spend N21 billion on Vice President’s residence while there is serious hardship in the country. Using billions of naira to purchase new sport utility vehicles for lawmakers and some members of the executive in the face of the acute hunger in the country bothers on insensitivity.
We commend the organisers of the protest for sensitizing Nigerians to their right to protest. Their intention, though noble, has been hijacked. Hence, there is every need to suspend the protest. We believe that enough lessons have been learnt by both the government and the protesting Nigerians. If not for anything, the fact that members of the House of Representatives, even before the commencement of the protest, decided to show solidarity with the masses by slashing their monthly salary by 50 per cent for a period of six months indicates that the people in power are beginning to identify with the plight of the people.