Prince. Tim Ogwuru
It is difficult to meet a Nigerian today irrespective of his political believes or geographical location, who does not at least subtly whisper “country really hard”. It is so obvious that even when you step out of your house, you are bombarded with unsolicited greetings and veiled requests for financial support. Occasionally, some of us provide some support even when we’re faced with our own financial difficulties.
The problem however is that we are all bent over by this new personal and community burden of want. Even some of the very affluent amongst us now complain of the many text messages asking for support. It was not this bad just about a year ago.
Nigerians are on the tip of tumbling over into the abyss of near-death due to immense financial difficulties. Hunger, frustration, hopelessness, criminality, is now uncontrollable in society. My anger and frustration is that all these are not an act of God, but man made difficulties.
Since 1999, politicians have been taking Nigerians for granted. Politicians have this illusion and always believing that Nigerians will forever remain docile. In other words, we can throw anything at them and the best they can do is make noise in beer parlours. Some of us have warned several times that if politicians continue to behave recklessly in public office, it will be a matter of time before the citizens erupt. Quite frankly, l hate to say this, it does seem like today, the doomsday we predicted is imminent.
To be fair, protest is a constitutional right of citizens in any country and Nigerians cannot be an exception. What must be clear, however, is that protests must be done within the stipulations of the law, peacefully, with the security apparatus duly aware of its duty to protect citizens as they peacefully table their demands and dissent before the government. Both sides must play their parts to ensure that we balance the process in order to avoid a bloody and destructive protest.
We are where we are today, because the government over the years have irresponsibly decided not to listen or pick up signals from the citizens. People are faced with layers of multiple economic and financial difficulties. This is why Nigerians have decided to show their dissent. Governor’s, Cabinet ministers and other government functionaries swim in affluent and luxuries with public fund. Obviously, this is extremely very difficult to defend in any modern society. During Mr President’s activism, he too would have joined them to protest against these issues. Today, he must allow them the chance to protest, and as a fellow comrade-in-arms, meet them halfway early enough and demonstrate his willingness to address these issues. Meeting them must come with a public communique on how he intends to address their needs with a clear and set deadline and targets.
There is also a need to address the root causes of this growing anger which is about to erupt. Over the years, there has been a display of insensitivity by the so called politicians. They have continued to exhibit financial irresponsibility while Nigerians wallow in abject poverty. This has to be addressed.
It should be understandable that citizens cannot continue to be patient, and asked to trust the process and make sacrifices when they are faced with life-threatening insecurity, abject poverty and food shortages, as they watch their leaders spend on frivolities with recklessness and regard and respect for public fund. That is provocative and that level of timidity should and must not continue.
Even as citizens prepare for this peaceful protest, there are rumours of plans by the government to forcefully clampdown on protesters having labelled them “agents from foreign bodies.” This sounds more like a state-sponsored propaganda to unleash violence on peaceful protestors. My advice to Mr. President is to trade with caution and, must resist none bright decisions at this critical time.
Mr President must remember that this is the time to be extremely careful. I know that some of his supporters may be trying to impress him with advice on how to handle the protesters, but he must remember that protest is part and parcel of any democratic settings. He must be reminded that he is a symbol of democracy and, anything less will damage his presidency globally for a very long time to come. He must see protesters as a sign that he wants to listen and an opportunity to bring out his fingers with his team and get down to real work for the country. Bad governance over the years remains the crust of the matter. If really you derive your legitimacy through the ballot box, this is the time to show it. Nigerians have given you the opportunity and chance to rise to the position of directly effecting the needed change.
You must therefore ensure that you call all security agencies to order and not play into the hands of criminal elements and haters of democracy who see this proposed peaceful protest as a chance to tarnish his government image.
This is a fragile time for us in this country and we all must tread carefully.
Sadly, the office of the President is a very lonely one. To govern is to decide and at this point in time, the President’s main focus should be to ensure everyone (protesters and counter-protesters) are accommodated with statements and utterances well-guided more so from his cabinet. Many of them may be doing their best to get his attention and may go over and above to impress him thereby creating a bigger problem for our country. He must rein them in.
This is not the time for spin-doctors or public relations gurus, but a time to show leadership. It is a time to show respect and regard for democracy and its institutions.
Mr President, permit me to say that as someone who has always been at the forefront democracy, we have grown to the age where we have achieved almost everything we need to achieve. All that we need to do now is to make history for the good of those coming hundreds of years after our bones must have turned to dust.
Remember this, Sir. And let it inform your decisions.
The late Aminu Kano was once touted as being so pro-people that he could have picked up a placard to protest against himself if he was President. This is the legacy which Mr President must seek to align to his name.
*Prince Tim Ogwuru writes from Abuja
