From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, have recounted their experiences in the just concluded #End-bad-governance-in-Nigeria protest.
For about 10 days, the atmosphere was charged as thousands of aggrieved youths took to the street to kick against bad governance across the 36 states of the federatiand the FCT.
The protest stemmed from the biting economic hardship, largely due to the fuel subsidy removal, corruption and over bloated allowances for lawmakers, running into billions of naira.
For some, the demonstration came at the right time. For others, it was needless, given the plethora of protests that had taken place in the past without commensurate results.
Regardless, embassies, religious centres, financial institutions, hospitals, the civil service and schools issued advisories to customers, students and workers ahead of the demonstration.
Enveloped by fear and uncertainty, the Federal Government obtained an order from the court, restricting protesters to the Moshood Abiola Stadium, popularly known as M.K.O Abiola Stadium, a day before the protest.
Also, FCT residents stocked their homes with foodstuffs, restricted their movements, beefed up and armed local vigilance groups around their vicinities.
Expectedly, joint security operatives, embarked on a show-of-force, and stationed in different places like the Federal Secretariat, Central Bank (CBN), National Assembly, the Presidential Villa, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Unity Fountain, Julius Berger roundabout in Wuse and Banex axis.
They stretched their security might to the entry and exit points of the seat of power, flashpoint areas like Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi, Zuba, Dei-Dei, Gwagwa, Life Camp and Apo.
Few areas like Lokogoma, Gudu, Utako, Jabi, Maitama, Asokoro and Gwarinpa among others were substantially peaceful.
Despite the warnings and appeals by the government, civil society organisations and FCT residents protested en masse in different places, including prohibited areas.
They burnt tyres on the streets, wore crested t-shirts, baseball caps and armed with damning inscriptions like ‘Subsidy must return.’ ‘Tinubu you have disappointed us’. ‘We cannot breathe because of hardship’. ‘Our children can no longer go to school’. ‘We are dying.’
In addition, some protesters even went as far as flying the flag of the Russia, calling for a take-over.
They got emboldened by the remarks of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who allegedly mocked them, saying that while they protest, some of them would be eating.
The long queues at different filling stations equally enraged them as they intensified their demonstration.
The civil disobedience irked security operatives who fired teargas canisters and live bullets at protesters, and chased them to the stadium. In the process of dispersing them, some protesters, including journalists were either injured, killed or arrested. For now, the number of casualties is still sketchy.
Undeterred, the protesters forged ahead with their mission. The streets were literally empty, as businesses and worship centres were closed. Some private and commercial drivers donned their vehicles with leaves as a sign of solidarity.
However, some protesters believed to be hired hoodlums infiltrated the demonstration and destroyed vehicles and other belongings around Area 1 axis.
A protester, Abdulkareem Musa, blamed the security operatives for the poor handling of the protest, that resulted to the destruction of property.
“Security operatives, especially the police should be held responsible for the way and manner they handled the protest. It is within our right to protest. The action of the police is condemnable.
“This country belongs to all of us. Nobody should be treated as less human. We cannot die in silence,” he fumed.
Abiodun Lawal, a commercial driver, said he could not join the protest because he was on a queue buy fuel.
He said: “I needed to get fuel. You know, there was and there is still fuel scarcity. The queue was long. It is not as if most of us deliberately boycotted the protest.”
For some civil servants, it was like a public holiday for them. Some cited insecurity as one the reasons they did not join the protest.
A civil servant, who simply gave her name as Mary, said: “I was scared of the insecurity. The outcome of the #EndSAR protest is still fresh in my mind. Some people were seriously injured and killed.
“Also, you know I am working for government. I should not be seen protesting against my employers. Besides, I need time to rest from work.”
On his part, the Executive Director, Africa Youth Growth Foundation, Dr Arome Salifu, stoutly condemned the action of security forces, for deploying kinetic approach on protesters.
Salifu argued that it was within the rights of Nigerians to kick against bad policies within the bounds of decency and civility.
He, however, condemned the infiltration of thugs and hoodlums in the protest who embarked on a stealing spree and destruction of property.
He said: “Every democratic system is anchored on the freedom of expression and of course, that freedom once taken away, you will actually tighten and close up the civic space, which is not supposed to be.
“The way and manner the government used the police and the military to disarm and discourage peaceful protesters was not encouraging.
“Those that broke government facilities and stole things are criminal elements and they were not part of the protest and that was not the original aim of the protest.”
The FCT coordinator of Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS), Pastor Deborah Life-Alegbemi, equally flayed the use of security agencies to crackdown on protesters.
“The protest was peaceful from what I heard from those who went out. It was police response to protesters that made protests violent. There were reports of government sponsored thugs.
“I support the protest. It is the civic right of the citizens to raise objections on issues that affects them through a peaceful protest.
“The response of the president is unacceptable. It is sad that we have our political space dominated by uncivil people.
“We need to develop transformative leaders in the political space. Citizens engagement is crucial to the sustainability of our democracy. This is my take.”
Also, National Coordinator of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, condemned what he called “gestapo-like raid of home of a leader of the protesters in Abuja”,Micheal Lenin.
Onwubiko blasted the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the FCT Police Command for deploying crude force to suppress dissent and disperse peaceful protesters in different parts of Abuja, including the throwing of teargas canisters into homes of Abuja residents, including nursing mothers while chasing after youthful protesters in Area 1 Garki motor park.
“We once more call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution the security forces to avoid the resort to brute force and the adoption of crude and illegal tactics, including the use of live bullets against peaceful protesters.
“These tendencies that depict the return of dictatorship might drive aggrieved persons into their shelves and then they may opt for violent revolts at a time that the security forces may not even be ready or aware.
“We think that the Nigeria Police Force is attempting to drive the protesters to the wall and lovers of democracy must stand up in total defense of constitutional democracy in Nigeria. The Bangladeshi formula must never be allowed here.”