#ENDBADGOVERNANCE DEMONSTRATION PROTEST
At this critical point we have reached in time, it has become imperative that we sit back and reflect deeply on the recent status of the protest- did it achieve its aim in the conquest for positive change or worsen our conditions or was it just us riding high on emotions due to the terrible inflation and poor conditions of living? Now that the days are over, let us count the costs and weigh both our profits and losses. Let us arrive at a credible answer judging from events that have taken place over the course of the #EndBadGovernance protest in the past days.
On the good side, we can boldly say we have spoken our minds and held our stance in spite of all odds while being united. We have spoken and the government has listened; “listened” with response of the same line of promises to create a change or try to make us understand why we need to go through “hard” times to achieve our supposed “greater” future times. But is that all we stand to gain to bring us out of our current quagmire? Now, let us justly criticize the motives, actions and repercussions of this protest.
THE MOTIVES
It all started on August 1st, 2024 when Nigerians marched into the streets to protest over the persistent hardships having resisted all counter efforts of the government to prevent the demonstration. It was decided on to be ten days of courageous push for a transformative change that would create a more equitable society characterized by true and effective leadership, affordable basic necessities, reduced hunger and improved cost of living. It was to be ten days of peaceful push to impress on the government the need to deal with pressing issues such as economic hardship, insecurity, power outages, food insecurity, poor infrastructure, healthcare challenges, education crisis, scarcity of fuel despite increased cost and fight against the entrenched evil in our society “corruption”.
THE ACTIONS
THE REPERCUSSIONS
First and foremost, the most obvious loss we have suffered from this demonstration is the lives of several innocent citizens of Nigeria-many lives have been lost, injured and traumatized due to violence. Kudos to them and we shall continually remember them as heroes of this struggle. Asides from the precious lives lost, both private and public properties have taken the hit as well with several recording varying levels of damage and destruction. In addition to that, many protesters and journalists in many states across the country have been unjustly arrested for simply exercising their human rights.
(I’m not sure where this paragraph fit in in this article, a linker might be needed as it seems isolated) Moreover, division in our opinions could weaken our fight. One of such major division in opinions is the removal of fuel subsidy is a questionable solution to guarantee economic peace. Some people believe that this is the key to achieve economic sustainability while another school of thought believes it should be maintained but appropriately used to enhance productivity and economic growth.
Furthermore, we cannot ignore the high level of misinformation and illiteracy It was reported that there was a large turnout of protesters in the north, it was also reported that a number of them were almajiris or little children who didn’t even know anything or understand enough about the protest that is, if they were not misinformed at all. However, this becomes a pointer towards our struggle for affordable education.
In spite of all, the past is in the past. We remain hopeful so we won’t stop fighting for the future of our dear nation “Nigeria”. However, before we take any further actions, it is advisable that we sit for a moment to gather all our facts, reflects on the motives of our actions and be clear on it then chase for a common goal for it is indeed true that “United We Stand and Divided We Fall”.
