#EndBadGovernance Turns Violent Like #EndSars, Properties Razed, Destroyed, Scores Dead, Others Arrested In Nigerian States
By Abisola Ariwodola,
As the August 1 national protest on hunger kicked off across the country, it turned violent on day one, in some states of Nigeria.
Angry youths and hoodlums were seen in various parts of the country looting businesses, setting corporations ablaze, destroying properties, police stations, vehicles among others to the dismay of citizens.
The hunger protest which was supposed to be a peaceful one, having turned violent in states like Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Edo, Niger, Jigawa, Yobe, and FCT Abuja among others, made security operatives to react into enforcing law and order, thereby resulting to rebuff by the lawless youths and hoodlums.
Despite heavy security presence, warnings, the protesters could be seen throwing objects at the police, a result which led to teargas being used to disperse the protesters, while such attempt led to injury of many and even death of scores in some of this states.
The main objective of the protest which was to urge federal government to reduce fuel pump price to #200 and Diesel to #400 per litre, reduce gas price to #300 Per KG, refine the countries crude oil using the four refineries in Nigeria by putting them to work, open all borders for free market economy and fish out the big sponsors of insecurity in Nigeria and terminate their evil operations, among others all seem to have lost substance with the protest erupting into violence on day one.
The protesting masses led by civil society organizations CSOs had planned to prompt the federal government to reduce present school fees in all secondary and tertiary institutions in nigeria by 70-percent, subsidise bills in all government hospitals, pay all Nigerian graduates minimum wage until they get employment, and for federal government to make a law for political parties to reduce prices of nomination forms for presidency and governorship, to enable younger citizens participates.
The national protest agitation also include implementation of 2014 National Confab as unanimously agreed upon, while all public holders salaries are to be reduced by 70-percent, and they are also to have their children schooling in Nigerian institutions and not in abroad.
The listed demands by the protesters were said to have been notified to the leaders, particularly the federal government for implementation, with the clause of call for resignation of those in public offices, if the demands are not met.
But with the national protest turning bloody on day one, in some parts of the country, it is difficult to say that this demands will be met, because the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu had called for deliberation, asking for more time, for results of policies effected to be shown as improvement to the economy, and this met rebuff, hence the protest.
Organizations and officers on essential duties, such as Journalist, the Nigerian Army, Police, Immigration, Navy, Hospitals among others were put on alert because of the protests, and toll lines released for emergency purpose, and journalists on duty were seen arrested in some states.
It can be seen as at the time of this report, that states such as Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Eboyin, Ogun, Kwara, Port Harcourt among others held peaceful protests, while states like Ondo, Ekiti and others did not join the protest at all.
Some states also shows policemen sharing pure water to their peaceful protesters as a form of solidarity, contrary to the violent protest nature embarked upon by some of the northern youths in their region.
Government palliatives for the people were seen looted in Benin, Edo state, APC party secretariat in the north burnt down, Nigerian Communication Center looted and razed among other crimes committed.
With the protests which is expected to last for at least 10-days, commencing, fuel stations, business complex, offices, eateries, markets, others were all put under lock and key and most streets deserted.
What comes to mind with the EndBadGovernance turning to another EndSars saga which led to unrest, loss of lives, properties is, will this protests really solve the Nigerian problem of calling on the federal government to end economic hardship?
Will the government fold its hand and allow the protests to bring insecurity into the states, when will the protest be stopped because of the violent nature it has already engulfed in from the start?
It can be recalled that Nigerians are yet to forget the #EndSars saga, a decentralised social movement and series of mass protests against police brutality in Nigeria that occurred in October 2020, leading to loss of lives and properties. Infact most affected businesses are yet to recuperate from it.
While kudos are given to states where the protests are peacefully held, with prayer that such tempo be maintained, there is tendency that state of emergency will be declared on some Nigerian states because of the EndBadGovernance national protest, so we ask, which way Nigeria?
Please Stay Safe.