By Maxwell M. Ngene, Ph.D
The ongoing nationwide protests which started five days ago in Nigeria are a stark reminder that the country is sleepwalking into disaster. What began as a call to end hunger, widespread poverty and bad governance in particular, has evolved into a broader movement demanding systemic change and accountability from the government. The current protests which serves as a clear and present danger, have transcended the #EndSARS mantra, exposing the deep-seated frustrations and anger of a population fed up with bad governance, failed promises, corruption, poor policies, maladministration and crippling insecurity.
The protests in most parts of the country are a manifestation of the cumulative effects of years of mismanagement, corruption, and incompetence. Nigerians are visibly tired of the current government’s failure to provide basic amenities, create jobs, and ensure security. The country’s economic stagnation, rising unemployment, and ethnic tensions have created a toxic mix that threatens to boil over into chaos.
The President’s nationwide broadcast
yesterday 4th of August 2024 was generally not well received by the organisers of the protest and Nigerians generally. The government’s response to the protests has been tone-deaf and inadequate, with a lack of empathy and understanding of the protesters’ grievances. The use of force against unarmed demonstrators and the killing of so many of these innocent protesters is only going to exacerbate the vexed situation, fueling more anger and resentment.
Nigeria is at a crossroads, and the consequences of inaction will be catastrophic. The protests are a warning sign, a symptom of a broader malaise that threatens to consume the country. If the government fails to address the underlying issues driving the protests, Nigeria risks descending into chaos, with far-reaching consequences for both regional stability and global security.
The time for complacency is over. Nigeria needs a wake-up call, a recognition that it is no longer business as usual, the status quo of a badly structured Nigeria is unsustainable and that radical change is necessary to avoid the looming disaster. The protests are a clarion call for reforms, a demand for a better future for all Nigerians. It is up to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government to respond, to listen to the voices of the people and to act with honesty, courage and vision to address the myriads of heady challenges facing the nation. The alternative is unthinkable.
