By Bala Ibrahim
Today, I woke up with a sigh of relief, an expression of happiness, because Nigeria has come to the terminal date of the nationwide protests, organized in objection, or disagreement with what the protesters called, bad governance. Bad governance is an abominable act that causes hatred, disgust, and repulsion by the people. It is a leadership style that is so detestable, and sometimes in the political vocabulary, it is referred to as “kakistocracy”.
The term is used to describe a government that is considered corrupt or incompetent. In other words, when a government is made up in a way in which the worst people are in charge, the stage is set for the arrival, and probably, the eventual settlement of kakistocracy.” Such a government has the reversed ambition of democracy.
I am not among the protesters, so I don’t know the yardstick of their gauge, but indeed, through the protests, the protesters have made points, and pinpointed the problems, by asking the government to embrace the concept of prioritization. They want the stoppage, or outright blockage of wastage. Fortunately, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said, times without number, that his government is favourably disposed to the action, or process of making decisions based on the relative importance of issues, under the urgency of matters, and the wishes of the people.
Going by such promise from the President, and the various submissions from eminent members of the society, including the former President’s, lately, the group of patriots, I think the protests have succeeded in providing the pulpit, for convenient conversation between the government and the people. The people said some issues are not being handled right, amongst which is the fuel subsidy removal, which in their wisdom, is fuelling hunger and anger in the land. Although the government said removing the subsidy is a painful but inevitable decision, yet, it is ready to dialogue, provided the discussions would go in line with sound judgement and sensibleness. That is good, very good.
All over the world, protesters usually organize protests as a way of publicly making their opinions heard by those in charge, to influence public opinion, to changing a government policy. And, in the event of the Government refusing to heed, or pay attention to their demands or plight, they may undertake direct action, in an attempt to bring about the desired changes themselves.
Under the Nigerian constitution, lawyers say, Nigerians’ right to peaceful assembly, including protest, is sacrosanct. That means the protection of the right to freedom of assembly is very fundamental in a democratic setting like the one we have in Nigeria today. It also means that the government, as well as the people, have distinctive responsibilities to play, towards the achievement of this protection. It is the responsibility of the government to put in place, adequate mechanisms to ensure that the right to freedom of assembly is completely enjoyed by the people. The people in protest also, have a similar responsibility, or obligation, which is to ensure that such right is exercised appropriately, and under the law. Variations or violations can confuse and may delay the arrival of an agreement.
From the points made by the protesters, issues of excessive use of force have been raised. That is a problem they want the government to look into, intending to seek justice on those whose rights have been so violated. They also said, if indeed the Government is willing to place things on the priority list, then, public institutions must be made to conduct their affairs with discipline. And the management of public resources should be done in a way that guarantees prudence. Dishonest behaviour by people in power, who are accused of acting in manners that are seen as untrustworthy, deceitful, or outright insincere, must be curtailed. The protesters say the people are hungry, but some leaders are not only extravagant but openly exploitative, to the detriment of the country. The protesters are not against public spending, but they want things to be ranked in order of importance.
Although the government is alleging the involvement of the opposition in the protests, who are churning out lies against it, by painting unsubstantiated corruption cases, and actions taken to promote nepotism, the President has repeatedly said his actions are in the best interest of the country. And that, posterity, would vindicate him.
Shortly after they assumed office, the First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Remi Tinubu, told the world that her husband had come to emancipate Nigeria and not to steal its scarce resources. She said, God has been benevolent to them, as such, it would be immoral, or even irreligious, for them to be involved in preposterous actions.
Nigeria is a democracy, that should not be turned into an Aristocracy, where the ruling elites alone, tend to enjoy both social and economic prestige, along with political power. The masses must be carried along, in the sharing of the so-called national cake. That way, anger, would not follow the cry of hunger, I think.
