Ahead of the planned protest, Weekend Trust caught up with one of the organisers, Deji Adeyanju, who suggested ways through which the action can be averted.
We are aware that you are one of the organisers of the planned protest. What is the status at this moment? Is mobilisation ongoing?
Do we need to ask anyone to join the protest, demanding a better life and more opportunities? If at this point in our lives as Nigerians, we still require activists or leaders to organise protests for us to express our grievances against the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it suggests that many people may be comfortable with the current state of governance. It raises the question: Are the anti-people policies of this administration truly affecting us or we are indifferent to them?
Waiting for someone else to take action before we voice our concerns indicates a lack of seriousness. We all share the same reality – we go to the same market and buy the same fuel. It is time for us to unite and take a collective action for the change we seek.
It is believed in some quarters that the clampdown on some persons who took part in the #EndBadGovernance protest may affect the planned October 1, action. What is your take?
Why should a crackdown prevent anyone from standing up for their right to peaceful protest? Did they expect the government to support or encourage them? That is unlikely to happen.
The government is uncomfortable with citizens who are aware of their rights and are willing to challenge the authority by demanding a better life. As a result, they often resort to force to suppress protests and silence dissenting voices.
Nigerians must recognise their rights and remain steadfast in their commitment to peaceful protests despite government’s attempts to intimidate or discourage them. Standing up for justice and advocating change is essential for a thriving democracy.
Due to what happened during the last protest, what are the measures in place to prevent a hijack of the upcoming action?
Any protest that requires extensive planning and measures is likely not a genuine expression of dissent. If organisers feel the need to implement specific precautions, it suggests that the protest may be orchestrated or sponsored. I cannot support or participate in such events.
True protests arise organically from the collective grievances of the people, without external manipulation or influence. It is important for movements to remain authentic and driven by the genuine voices of those affected.
But there were states that did not take part in the last protest.
It is simple; the citizens there are comfortable and feel they have no reason to demand better governance or a higher quality of life. But remember, contentment often leads to complacency, where people do not feel compelled to hold their leaders accountable or advocate necessary changes.
When people are satisfied with their current situation they may overlook the need for progress and improvement in governance. However, it is important to recognise that even a sense of comfort can mask underlying issues that require attention and action for a more equitable and just society.
There are some persons who feel that the last protest did not yield any result. Why do you think the youth and other Nigerians will still come out?
If queuing to buy fuel at the rate of N1,200 per litre is not a compelling reason to hit the streets, then I suggest that people remain in their homes. If a 33.4 per cent inflation rate does not raise enough concern, then there is no need for protests. If the rampant killings, armed robbery, kidnapping and banditry are not sufficient reasons to take action, then why inconvenience ourselves by demanding an end to these crises? If our unemployment rate is viewed as a point of pride, then we should commend the government for a job well done.
If the planned protest does not yield the required result, what next?
More protests. It is aluta continua.
Are you not afraid that you could be arrested and prosecuted?
As Professor Wole Soyinka would say, ‘The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.’ I am not afraid of arrest. Speaking truth to power is a covenant I have with God and Nigerians. I will never stop advocating what is right.
If the price for that commitment is incarceration, then so be it. I don’t believe that arrest is too high a price to pay for one’s beliefs. I have been arrested and detained several times, yet I am still here. I will not let fear of arrest silence me.
What do you think the government can do to stop the protest?
The government should fix the economy, halt corruption and create a conducive environment for individuals and businesses to thrive. Nigerians simply want a better quality of life. If the country functions effectively, there will be no reason for anyone to protest.
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