Hardship: Tension heightens as organizers insist on nationwide protest
Tension is rising across the country as organizers of the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1 to 10 have vowed not to back down.
some Nigerians, who are irked by the prevailing economic situation ravaging the nation, vowed to stage mass protests in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, next month.
The demonstration, according to the organizers, is aimed at drawing the attention of the governments at various levels to the hardship bedeviling the citizens.
The agenda is also to possibly persuade the current administration into reversing some policies that birthed the current economic reality.
This has triggered tension across the country with some government officials, business owners, security agencies fidgeting over possible attacks on them.
Hardship
the nation has been clouded in the plague of hunger since President Bola Tinubu announced the end of fuel subsidy era in 2023.
On Wednesday, the National Bureau of Statistics disclosed in its June report that prices of some food items skyrocketed as high as 250 percent recently.
According to the data, one kilogram of white Garri (sold loose) went up by 181.66 percent on a year-on-year basis from N 403.15 in June 2023 to N1,135.51 in June 2024, while there was an increase of 1.86 percent on a month-on-month basis.
Also, the price of 1kg of beans brown (sold loose) stood at N2,292.76 indicating a rise of 252.13 percent from N651.12 recorded in June 2023.
Similarly, 1kg of Yam tuber increased by 295.79 percent on a year-on-year basis from N510.77 in June 2023 to N 2,021.55 in May 2024.
The report added that there was also a notable price increase of Irish potato by 288.5 percent on a year-on-year basis from N623.75 in June 2023 to N2,423.27 in June 2024.
According to the organizers of the looming protest, the inability of Nigerians to afford the food items and other basic needs is what stimulated the move for the ten days nationwide protests titled the “Days Of Rage”.
Security concerns
There are concerns that the proposed protest may worsen the security crisis already facing the nation.
The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters and the Department of State Services have all raised the alarm that the planned protest may result in anarchy.
the Defence Headquarters on Thursday warned that the planned protest has the potential of degenerating into anarchy and a reign of terror.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, who spoke while briefing journalists in Abuja, said that there were signs of status-related violence such that persons with things as basic as smartphones and cars were targets, not leaving out those who own houses and shops.
Similarly, the Nigeria Police Force issued a cautionary alert, citing credible intelligence about potential manipulation by foreign mercenaries and the involvement of malicious groups aiming to disrupt public order.
Olukayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police IGP, expressed concerns about the involvement of external actors in the protests, emphasizing the need for Nigerians to exercise caution before joining any protest groups.
In the same vein, the Department of State Services, DSS warned the organisers of the protests against proceeding with their plans.
The service alerted the general public that it uncovered a plan by some criminal elements to hijack the protest and cause unrest in the country.
DSS, in a statement by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, described the motive behind the protest as political
He claimed that plotters of the protest intended to use the violent outcome of the demonstration to smear the federal and sub-national governments.
Organizers vow not to back down
Despite the warnings, cautions and concerns raised from different quarters, the organizers of the proposed protest said there is no going back.
A former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, who is one of the key organizers, mentioned on Saturday that the protest will hold as scheduled.
the popular Nigerian activist said the organizers are even under pressure to start the #EndBadGovernmnetInNigerja protest earlier than the scheduled date.
He said, “The #EndBadGovernmnetInNigerja #DaysOfRage will take place on August 1st 2024 as scheduled; Organizers are under pressure to start earlier”.
Asked if he would be physically present during the protest, Sowore who as of the time of this report is in the United States, said “the revolt will occur globally; yes, I will participate fully”.
On the controversy surrounding the inclusion of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in the 15 key demands recently reeled out by the organizers, Sowore said demanding Kanu’s release “is the right thing to do”.
He said, “We understand that as an ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse country, some may find the inclusion of free Nnamdi Kanu a bit challenging but it is the right thing to do to address the monumental injustices intertwined in the legally tangled conundrum the federal government has found itself in sustaining Kanu’s unjust incarceration.
“When Free Elzakyaky was included in 2019, some people frowned at it but today, he is a free man and the heavens did not fall”.
Stakeholders beg organizers to shelve protest, embrace dialogue
Politicians, groups, organizations, business owners and other stakeholders have continued to call for dialogue in place of the planned protest.
Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organization, Afenifere on Saturday told that rather than embarking on a protest that may eventually lead to destruction of lives and properties, the organizers should engage in dialogue.
Comrade Jare Ajayi, Afenifere national publicity secretary, in a chat with our correspondent, said memories of the destruction that marred the 2020 EndSARS still remained fresh.
He said, “like we have said, the experience of what happened during the EndSARS in 2020 is still fresh in our minds. Scars of the protests can still be felt in various places.
“The nonpareil modern laboratory in Lagos that was destroyed then could not be replaced up till now. A laboratory that had nothing to do with what the protesters were venting their anger against.
“The destruction of the laboratory has meant that tests that could be routinely done in Lagos now have to be taken to the United States of America. Instances abound in other parts of the country.
“Since, dialogues would be employed to resolve conflicts, it’s better to engage in dialogues rather than allowing conflicts to degenerate into street protests that stand the chance of being hijacked by irate mobs.”
Planned protesta lack well-defined objective – Arewa Youths
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, says it won’t participate in the planned nationwide protests, saying the objective of the organizers is not well defined.
The President General of AYCF, Yerima Shettima said on Saturday that though protest is a legitimate right of citizens, violence should not be an option.
He said, “The right to peacefully assemble and voice grievances is a fundamental right that is enshrined in the constitution of many countries, including Nigeria.
“However, the effectiveness and appropriateness of the protests that are being planned in Nigeria have sparked a debate on many issues.
“While protest is a legitimate and vital tool for citizens to gather and raise their voices in unity, it is essential that protests are conducted in a peaceful and organized manner.
“Violence and destruction during protests can have negative consequences, leading to harm to individuals and property and undermining the message that the protesters are trying to convey.
“It is crucial that protests are aimed at sparking dialogue, raising awareness, and enacting positive change, rather than inciting chaos and harm.
“It is essential that the North and other regions in Nigeria are advised against participating in protests that do not have well-defined objectives and may potentially lead to unrest and instability”.
