Gidado Ibrahim
As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of a fragile economy inherited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the recent call for protests by opposition elements poses a significant threat to the country’s stability. Granted that the removal of fuel subsidy has led to skyrocketing food prices and general hardship, but the government has taken necessary steps to address the issue.
Unfortunately, the opposition, with its hidden agenda and penchant for chaos, are instigating a nationwide protests they plan to hijack, leading to devastating consequences. History has shown that protests in Nigeria can easily be hijacked by hoodlums, leading to destruction and chaos.
Apart from Kenya where these disgruntled opposition elements seem to be drawing inspiration from, Sudan and Libya serve as stark reminders of the dangers of unchecked protests. Now, Kenya is in a shambles and the protest in that country has done virtually nothing to change the plight of the citizens of that country.
In Sudan, protests that began in 2019 over bread prices and economic hardship eventually led to the downfall of President Omar al-Bashir. However, the country has remained in chaos, with rival factions vying for power and terrorist organizations taking advantage of the instability. The economy has collapsed, and the people are suffering.
Similarly, Libya’s protests in 2011 led to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, but the country has been in disarray ever since. Rival militias and terrorist groups have taken control of various regions, and the government is struggling to maintain order. The economy has been devastated, and the people are suffering.
These examples demonstrate the dangers of allowing protests to spiral out of control. Nigerians must learn from these experiences and avoid the same mistakes. The government’s efforts to address the economic challenges must be supported, and the opposition’s call for protests must be rejected.
The Renewed Hope government led by President Tinubu is not resting on its oars. Presidential Committee led by Vice President Kashim Shettima is working tirelessly to reduce food prices, a clear indication that the government is committed to alleviating the suffering of Nigerians. The committee’s efforts have already begun to yield results, with prices of essential commodities starting to drop. This shows that the government is proactive and dedicated to finding solutions to the country’s economic challenges.
In addition to numerous initiatives being undertaken to cushion the effects of the high cost of food, President Tinubu’s administration had last week increased the minimum wage for civil servants from N30,000 to N70,000, representing about a 110 percent increment. Also, palliatives in the form of food items like rice were released to states and local governments.
What Nigerians, especially civil society organisations, need to do now is to hold governors and local government chairmen accountable to ensure the palliatives reach the intended beneficiaries.
However, the opposition’s insistence on protests despite federal government’s efforts raises suspicions about their true intentions. It appears that their goal is not to find solutions but to create chaos and destabilize the government. This is evident in their refusal to engage in constructive dialogue and their constant call for protests, even when the government is working to address the issues.
It is essential to recognize that opposition leaders such as Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) have questionable track records and are culpable in the current state of the nation. Their involvement in the protests raises concerns about their motives and the potential for chaos.
Atiku, during his tenure as Vice President, was accused of various corrupt practices, and his handling of government funds was questionable. Peter Obi, on the other hand, has been accused of supporting protests and encouraging young people to risk their lives while his own children live comfortably abroad.
The removal of fuel subsidy, though painful, was a necessary step to free up resources for critical sectors like health, education, and infrastructure. The government’s commitment to investing in these areas is evident, and the benefits will be felt in the long run. The subsidy removal has also led to the discovery of fraudulent practices in the oil sector, and the government is working to recover stolen funds.
Nigerian youths, in particular, must be cautious not to be misled by selfish politicians who seek to exploit their frustrations. The call to protest should be viewed with skepticism, and the potential consequences should be carefully considered. The youths should ask themselves if the protests are truly about their welfare or if they are being used as pawns in a political game.
Instead of protests, Nigerians should demand accountability from state governors, who receive trillions of naira in allocations but fail to deliver basic amenities to the grassroots. The President’s efforts to ensure direct allocations to local government councils are commendable and will bring relief to the masses. This move will reduce poverty and improve living standards, making life better for Nigerians.
Furthermore, the government has taken steps to improve the economy, including investing in infrastructure projects, supporting small businesses, and promoting agriculture. These efforts will yield positive results in the long run and improve the country’s economic stability.
Just last week, vehicles under public service transportation have begun to get CNG instead of fuel. Over 600 vehicles have been converted to CNG. Most drivers who benefited said instead of 45tsn fuel to fill in their tanks, with just 5tsn you can drive your car for two days without refueling. Despite all these efforts by the Tinubu administration, opposition elements are busy stoking the embers of discord.
Nigerians expect the leadership of Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) under Maitakobi, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NARTO) to come out and tell them what President Tinubu is doing to boost the transportation sector.
Good enough, some states governments have distanced themselves from the protest, but some have remained silent, including some National Assembly members and ministers. I expected that by now we should be seeing all of these political office holders rallying support for the government they are serving within their communities, join their state governors to say no to protest and support the President Tinubu administration. It’s a task for everyone to make sure Nigeria is kept as one and united country.
It was learnt that the protesters are even being trained to avert and return teargas, bullets and hot water. These automatically shows that the protest is well designed to destroy our nation.
To my northern brothers, I must let them know that an attack on President Tinubu is an attack on Vicce President Shettima and Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, who are two of their illustrious sons serving under the current administration. The president has pleaded and assured Nigerians that the economy, security and food security will be more effective and improve in no distant furture.
In conclusion, let me make my position clear, that the planned protests are ill-conceived, ill-timed and ridiculous. Nigerian youths must not allow themselves to be used as pawns in the political chess game of selfish politicians. The country’s stability and progress should be the priority, and we must learn from the experiences of other nations to avoid chaos and destruction. Let us work together to build a better Nigeria for all.
We must recognize that the Renewed Hope government led by President Tinubu is committed to the welfare of Nigerians and is working tirelessly to address the country’s challenges. The opposition’s call for protests is a distraction and an attempt to discredit the government’s efforts. We must not fall for their antics but instead support the government in its quest to build a better Nigeria.
In the words of the great Nigerian poet, Ben Okri, “The future belongs to those who can see it, who can imagine it, who can create it.” Let us work together to create a brighter future for Nigeria, a future filled with hope, prosperity, and peace. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and generations yet unborn to build a nation that we can be proud of. Let us reject the call for protests and embrace the government’s efforts to build a better Nigeria.