Intended protest- is it necessary?

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By Bernard Balogun

This is not an attempt to discourage any protest, especially a peaceful protest. However, who can guarantee a peaceful protest anyway.

Was the EndSars protest not originally planned to be peaceful? When the “bad boys” hijacked it, it was out of control. The planners became onlookers. Anarchy became the other of the day, properties were wantonly destroyed. LSTC sophiscated buses were angrily burnt. Buses meant to mitigate their transportation hardship.

The DNA and Forensic Laboratory burnt by the mop in Lagos, reputed to be the best in sub Sahara. Not to talk about other private individuals whose businesses were vandalized and carted.

Protests – point at one single protest that has achieved positive result and l will show you several that have ended in monumental catastrophe. Is the EndSars not one?

In South Africa from early 60s to late 80s it was one form of violent protest to another. People died, properties destroyed.

Has self-help without God’s intervention helped?

When the political elders, especially the black majority, in South Africa decided amongst themselves, enough of these killings and destruction of properties, common sense prevailed and dialogue was enshrined.

Late papa Nelson Mandela, the arrowhead of the struggle, was brought out of the prison. The struggle was achieved, not via violent protest but by dialogue, intellectual conversation. They may not have achieved all their dreams but substantially they have realised something significant. Again not by protest but via dialogue.

In 2020 in the aftermath of the defeat of former President Donald Trump, his supporters went violent, they protested, went on rampage. Did they achieve their hearts desire? No. Till date, Donald Trump is still going from one Court to another. That is in the US, the home of one of the advanced democracies in the world. This is laughable, isn’t it?

Let us come down home. In 1963, the late Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo and 18 of his followers were sentenced to 10 years each. Most, if not all, were from one particular region in Nigeria – Western region.

The Westerners did not lift up their voices, yet Chief was their leader.

Can we confidently say Chief Awolowo was not loved by his people? It is said, Chief Awolowo admonished his followers not to caused political mayhem in the region, for nothing happens to man without the knowledge of God, for he and his followers shall returned triumphantly. The Western region should return to the “drawing table”, he concluded.

Fast forward to 1966. Chief Awolowo and co were still in prison when his political detractors were annihilated in the 1st and 2nd coups of 1966. Gen Yakubu Gowon (retd) as Head of State released Chief Awolowo and all political prisoners. Chief Awolowo was appointed, by that administration as Federal Commissioner of Finance (an equivalent of a Federal Minister today) and Vice Chairman to the Federal Executive Council (an equivalent of the position Alhaji Shettima holds today).

Throughout his period of incarceration, it is in record, that Chief Awolowo never incited his people against the Balewa led government and the people of Western region never worked against the Balewa led administration.

The people of Western region embraced dialogue and it paid.

The current government is transparently trying ways & means to improve the situation and rebuild the nation from foundation once again. Being abused and harassed at every policy decision, they try to put in place, is not an answer to the problem on ground.

It is true our people desire the best but they do not want to pay the price, ironically.

PBAT has refused to follow the status quo of previous administrations. This is in no way suggesting he blames previous administrations. Every administration did its own bit.

As citizens, all we do now is comparing ourselves with Europe and the US. Is that necessary?

This is our teething or gestation periods.
There is no abracadabra in any form of governance. We need patience in the face of hunger. The years of cankerworm shall soon be over. Let us believe in ourselves.

Our elders told us – a house ravaged by termites, if you want to fix it, you will need a lot of patience and strategies so it does not collapse.

We all agreed, there is no food. There is scarcity. How do we resolve these? It is time we should work with government in finding solutions to the scarcity.

Certainly it is not time for protest. That is utterly retrogressive and destructive to us as a Nation and as a people.

Political and tribal sentiments should take back seats. Those in governments now do not possess superior knowledge. I am not holding excuses for them. They are fortunate to be first amongst the equals. That certainly do not confer superior knowledge on them.

Let us grow the conversations. Every segment of the Nigerian society has equal stake in the Nigerian project. The planned protest is therefore a needless destruction.

Let us activate the resilient spirit globally associated with Nigerians.

Nigeria shall shine again in the comity of Nations. I am such an incorrigible optimist.

Balogun (BenPino) writes from Abuja.