The Hunger Protest: What Are The Realities And Lessons? By Mbang Confidence, Esq.
Introduction
Barely days ago, the nationwide #Endbadgovernance protest came to an end. As we know, the protest was a bid to call the attention of the government to the plights of the people. The protest was also tagged hunger protest to portray the intensity of hardship on the people. The 10th day of August, 2024 was the last day, however, in many states, it was observed that the momentum reduced even before the 5th day of the protest. But one question that must have struck your mind is the possible outcome of the protest. For purposes of proper appreciation, I decided to go by the realities and lessons garnered from the entire event.
The Realities
So many factors played out in the course of the protest. A critical observation would readily reveal the fact that the protest was marred with geopolitical and ethnic interest/coloration. Therefore, there are certain realities we cannot shy away from, and same should be archived because history they say, shall vindicate the just. The intensity of the protest varied across ethnic demography. We shall briefly consider them.
The South East: The was practically no protest across the Southeast region. The reason is not farfetched, but suffice to say that the Southeast views the whole essence of the protest as a “Yoruba vs. Hausa/Fulani tussle.” Recall that prior to the protest there were unfounded claims from some quarters that the whole thing was orchestrated by the Igbos against the Yorubas. This is not unconnected with the fact that one of the major contenders for the presidency was an Igbo man, and also, the unending tussle between both tribes in Lagos State. In fact, their political leaders made it clear that they were not part of the protest to #Endbadgovernance. Truth be told, the Igbos are beginning to feel like they are not part of Nigeria.
The South South: the South South region shabbily took part in the protest with Portharcourt, Rivers State being the most active. The reason is not farfetched. This is because, aside the multi-ethnicity and political divide in the South, the region is made of untamed youths who are ready to stand on their rights no matter the circumstances. The people of the region actually feel they deserve better treatment considering the chunk of natural resources domiciled in their territory.
The South West: shockingly, citizens from the South West also engaged in the protest with Lagos state being the epicentre. I would highlight Lagos and Abuja specially as cosmopolitan states. In essence, aside Lagos State, there was no intensity in other states. But then, even before the protest, we saw videos of Westerners complaining bitterly about hunger and hardship. No one is speared from the rigours that these days come with.
The North: for purposes of better appreciation, it is more convenient to discuss the three geopolitical zones under the North as one. It is observed from a litany of reports that the level of hunger and hardship in the North is on a different scale. It effects are more daring on the youths, ranging from unemployment, high infant and maternal mortality, low education coupled with the numbers of the out-of-school children, amongst others. The region houses states with the lowest GDP per capita. The impacts of the economy is likely to be more felt by them, however, unsubstantiated claims about ethnic sentiments and coloration of their massive turn out in the protest should be left for another fora. For the records, some state across the North took active part in the protest with Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Gombe occupying the news frontlines.
To sum it all, Abuja and Lagos being the major cosmopolitan cities took part in the protest. They made sure the message was passed to the government. It is observed that these cities cannot be overtaken by the heavy and deceitful clouds of ethnicity and politics. Lagos and Abuja comprises of detribalized men and women of integrity, discipline, determination and goodwill. These two cities are fondly called ‘no man’s land.’
The Lessons
The hunger protest was caused by the unbearable economic hardship and difficult policies of the government in a bid to supposedly strengthen the economy. It came at the early stage of the #RenewedHopeAgenda, an agenda envisioned to renew the lost hopes of Nigerians. One question worthy to ask is whether, considering the consequences of societal class, Nigerians are really suffering? Or, bluntly put, have Nigerians been able to express the length and depth of their sufferings and woes ? I would leave the answer to your conviction.
The possible lessons garnered from the hunger protest are:
General Welfare and Security of the People is the Responsibility of the Government: the government must understand that the general welfare and security of the people is dependent on them, and that at any instance the government fails to guarantee same to the people, the people are bound to revolt by various means and strategy. If sections 14(2)(a) & (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended is anything to go by, then government should know the priority. For purposes of completeness, the section provides this, “ (2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that: (a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; (b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” The people are not asking for food to be put on the table, that food would definitely finish, and hunger will strike again. What the people need is the means and convenient environment to put food on their table by themselves, pallia-thieves, oh sorry, palliatives alone cannot cushion the effects of hunger. For instance, if the Federal Government distributes rice to states, before it gets to the common man, it may be left with only 2 or 3 cups. How does that cushion hunger? Is it not rather a propeller? The government should endeavor to guarantee these civil privileges.
Government as Burden Bearers: generally, revolt against governments across nations goes a long to portray how important the strategies and policies of the government matters. Government bear the burden of directing the fundamental objective and directive principles of the state to be in line with her mission and visions for the people. This burden is actually a conscious and accepted burden, government cannot seem passive to the realities of governance.
Citizens awareness of Rights and Privileges: the people are becoming more conversant and aware of their socio-economic and political rights. Civil liberties campaigns and events has broadened the meaning of rights in line with global standards and advancement. In essence, the people know that they are entitled to a better society and system than the present. They know the difference behind the successive years. They know that not too long ago – 2014, Fanta sold for 150 naira, egg roll for 100 naira, but today both are not sold below 500 naira. It pains me that even a plate of afang soup and size-able eba that Okon could buy for 250 naira is not less than 1,500 naira now. Needless to mention the cost of rice, beans, yam, oil, etc. Oh, let the old good days come again.
A People United cannot be defeated: this is strong pointer to the fact that a people united can never be defeated. Even without the protest, the Kenya-Ruto protest serves as a major example of the strength of the people. Till date, the young GenZs have held the very admired Ruto to standstill. The voice of the people remains sacrosanct and powerful.
Subsidy Removal Effects: without doubts, the removal of fuel subsidy came unexpectedly, bereft of concrete plans to mitigate the hardship it would foist on Nigerians. The absence of subsidy affected all sectors, reduced the purchasing power of the people and crippled the economy. Government should develop more strategic means of cushioning its effects on people.
A New People’s Driven Constitution: unless we are ready to overhaul the current constitution for a new people’s driven constitution, we may never escape the ever negative changes of governance in Nigeria. It is true that the economy needs attention, but what would this attention yield if corruption still persist? When statesmen call for constitutional overhaul, rebuke the thoughts that our constitution is not problem, rebuke it. If the constitution is people’s driven, it would automatically address the many demands placed on the government for decades. For instance, if a new constitution is made, it would address our electoral system, it would address fiscal federalism, it would address cost of governance, it positive impacts on the system will be unquantifiable. Therefore, Mr President should harken to the call made by the Patriots and consensus of stakeholders made at the National Dialogue on the Constitutional Future of Nigeria held on March 18, 2024. These lessons of mine are not exhaustive, it would be my utmost joy for government to consider any.
Conclusion
From the rationale to the inception of the protest, the people were deliberate on their demands. Irrespective of the many propaganda and other factors, the protest held. The protesters were given location across states but same was not honoured, largely because this kind of civil protest is nationwide. Irrespective of the call for security from lawyers, activist, organisations, in some states, the protest was hijacked by hoodlums, protesters were shut dead, some maimed, some arrested. This is not the Ghandian and Lutheran precept of non-violent protest/resistance that the early civil rights activist practiced. Little wonder they suffered rash criticisms in the course of their struggles. However, just like the respected Sir Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN said, “Without doubt, there will always be protests, since many policies of the government will not go down well with the citizens.” And I dare to add that, it is not over until it is over, the government must do better in order not to trigger further protests.
Food For Thought: American Composer Frederic Rzewski, in a bid to pay tribute to the struggle of the Chilean people against the newly imposed repressive regime of Augusto Pinochet once composed a song in 1975, titled: ‘’The People United Will Never Be Defeated.’’
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