As the Protest Looms – Frank Ofili

Organisers of the planned protest commencing August 1 2024 must ensure five things…

That it is truly peaceful

That it is not hijacked by miscreants who may want to use the opportunity to loot

That it does not turn violent.

That it is not infiltrated by over-zealous government agents and fifth columnists who do not mean well, and who may want to use the protest as pretext to justify illegal arrests and engage in shootings in a bid to break the protest.

Above all, the organisers must realize that there are millions of other Nigerians who also have right not to join the protest, and who want to go about their legitimate businesses peacefully without hinderance in spite of the protest.

The usual way of protesters in Nigeria blocking and barricading major highways and other public places, thereby causing untold suffering to millions of other Nigerians must be discountenanced. We must begin to develop decent ways to conduct protests – not using them to loot, maim and cause mayhem.

Beyond that however, government must leave up to expectations in preventing the protest from being used for other nefarious activities. The primary duty of government is to provide security to the people including protesters.

Yes, those who protest against even government itself are entitled to be protected from harm. Our Constitution guarantees their right to protest, provided they are peaceful. Protests are a form of expression of discontent with the extant order. Protest is constitutionally guaranteed. But violence is not. It is on the strength of possibility of violence that Government is against the protest. So, the organisers have a duty to ensure that the planned protest does not degenerate into violence as did happen during #EndSARS.

But taking affirmative steps to stop the protest? No please!

In fact, any attempt by government to forcefully stop or break it might lead to unintended consequences. Tension is already high as it is, people are frustrated, hunger is in the land. So, government must thread softly. Allowing the protest in some guided way may be a way to forestall violence.

Protests are not evil altogether. This government, and the one before it, came to power on the crest of protests. Nigeria was able to return to civil rule because of protests against military rule.

Indeed, Nigeria gained her Independence on the strength of protests and opposition against colonial rule. As governor of Lagos State, Tinubu and the entire Lagos State Government protested endlessly against the Federal Government of President Olusegun Obasanjo using different strategies. Constructive protests often lead to positive outcomes via public policy. Enduring public policy outcomes are often a direct derivative from protests in one form or the other

So, Government must be careful in handling the impending protest. One way to start is for Mr. President to address the nation.

Engaging the Governors, traditional rulers and other elites is all well and good, but these are not people who would ordinarily join protests. I believe it will be more productive to address the people directly via a national broadcast.

Post-script:
It appals me that the Government would attempt to use traditional rulers and traditional institutions to stop the protest. For the traditional rulers, this may not bode well in the long run. I wish they had not lent themselves to a scheme that can only ultimately result in rubbishing their revered position.