The risks, danger of planned national protest

One factor that raises the alarm over the planned nationwide protest against hardship is that the planners are opaque.  A report described the group as the ‘Take it Back Movement,’ suggesting that it is a relatively new group, perhaps set up solely for the execution of the planned protest. Rather, what Nigerians have ascertained is that groups such as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), factions of student bodies under the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and some human rights groups have declared support for the protest. Their reason is basically that there is indeed hardship in the land; Nigerians are going through a very hard time, and the government needs to be challenged to do more to alleviate the suffering.

Besides, they contend, rightly, that Nigerians have constitutionally guaranteed rights to protest particularly in a democracy. While this argument can hardly be faulted, one associated danger in that setup is that there may be no one to take responsibility, particularly if things go awry. That fact may account for why the planned protest is reportedly losing steam, given that many groups are publicly opting out of it.

Nevertheless, there is cause for worry because the #EndSARS protest started on a similar note but sadly ended on a notorious note with massive destruction of lives and properties nationwide. Even some state chapters of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have dissociated themselves from the protest, positing that it is being teleguided, and would most likely be hijacked by hoodlums, as it happened almost four years ago.
 
Certainly, this is not a time for the country to embark on another spree of destruction in the guise of protest. Considering the level of frustration among Nigerians over the rising cost of living, it is doubtful if law enforcement agents, no matter their number (and Nigeria is in short supply of policemen) can guarantee peaceful protest. If anything, the presence of policemen or soldiers, as the case may be, may trigger the explosion of pent-up anger, even though law enforcement agents are equally on the receiving end of the hardship, as they buy from the same market as other Nigerians. It is necessary, therefore, for the government at both state and the federal levels to seek a truce with the prospective protesters, and instead, hold talks with them to take steps for immediate and long-term solutions to the hardship in the land. While the government cannot deny the hardship even though it may not fully own up to it, the president and state governors should admit that they have been doing too little too late, and they need to frontally address governance for Nigerians.
  
The organisers want the protest to begin on August 1, and stretch to August 10. That itself is a recipe for anarchy as such a long period of protest is just what hoodlums need to infiltrate any organised group. It is not surprising that more groups countrywide resolved to opt out of the planned protests, basing their decisions largely on the high possibility that the protest would spark violence. Their position comes as Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a Tompolo); Women Affairs Minister, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, and Asari Dokubo, among others, appealed for restraint, while the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alleged involvement of foreign mercenaries in the planned protests.

Notably, the Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun, has said credible intelligence at the disposal of the Nigeria Police Force, revealed that foreign mercenaries were deeply involved in the planning of the anticipated August nationwide protests. The IGP also issued a stern warning to clandestine groups plotting to destabilise the country and hoodlums seeking to exploit protests for their criminal agenda. The military had earlier expressed similar warnings. These signals should not be treated with levity.
 
In a democracy, protest is fundamental. The constitution allows it as a means of expressing grievances, complaints and opinions. It is about freedom of expression, but it must be peaceful. The planners should not insist on protest unless they and the police and other relevant security agencies agree to work together to ensure that it does not lead to undesirable outcomes.
 
Everybody has a responsibility to ensure that the country does not witness a repeat of what happened in October 2020 when the EndSARS protests started after weeks of outrage and anger with videos and pictures showing police brutality, harassment and extortion nationwide. It cannot be forgotten that though the rallies began peacefully, it eventually led to untimely, even gruesome deaths of many hapless Nigerians including dozens of policemen.

At the same time, police stations were razed, prisons were invaded and hardened criminals let loose, private and public properties, including hundreds of brand-new BRT buses were destroyed. There was disruption of movement, looting, and vandalism of shops, particularly in Lagos. A repeat of this must be avoided.
 To be continued tomorrow.