Protest: Head or tail, we may all end up losers, by Tunde Rahman
All hell has broken loose in Kenya over the tax revolt that has been ravaging the country since June. In the wake of the crisis, part of the parliament building was set on fire by arsonists, and several public buildings were damaged while numerous companies and shops were looted. Emboldened by their relative success in forcing the government to cancel the $2.7 billion tax hikes, the predominantly Gen-Z protesters are now demanding President William Ruto’s resignation.
The ongoing protests have plunged Kenya into turmoil, leaving citizens unable to sleep peacefully. The number of casualties has risen, with more than 50 people reported killed since June, according to Kenya’s National Commission on Human Rights.
The violence and destruction in Kenya are reminiscent of the October 2020 EndSARS protest in Nigeria. During the EndSARS protest, several police stations were burned, and some police officers were beheaded. The chilling video of cannibals eating flesh from the bodies of slain officers is still haunting. There were jailbreaks, releasing hardened criminals from prisons in Lagos, Benin, and Abuja. Critical infrastructure owned by the Lagos State Government was destroyed, and the notable television station, TVC, was set ablaze.
The destruction included a large number of luxury buses meant for public transportation in Lagos, which were burned and left in ruins. A friend recounted to me how a distraught Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu wept as he surveyed the wreckage of the buses at Oyingbo, mourning the loss of a multi-million dollar investment.
The level of destruction, the carnage, the investment gone up in flames, and the trauma and uncertainty caused by the protest are difficult to forget. Those insisting on replicating the EndSARS protest in Nigeria or reproducing the Kenyan moment do not mean well for the country.
Protesters may have the right to express their displeasure about the state of the nation, particularly given the excruciating cost of living despite the government’s economic policies and cushioning efforts. However, the planned protest does not bode well for the country and its people for several reasons.
Firstly, given the events of the 2020 protest, there is no guarantee that any protest now would not turn violent or be hijacked by hoodlums to advance their nefarious agendas. This protest, which appears politically motivated, can only lead to violence, arson, and looting, as seen in similar demonstrations in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. The Kenyan episode is a case in point.
In the past, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other activists employed non-violent protest to advance democratic causes, particularly during President Obasanjo’s regime.
Secondly, the sponsors and promoters of the #EndBadGovernance protest remain unknown and faceless. I saw an online interview with SaharaReporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, calling for the demonstration while he and his family are safe in New Jersey. This is reminiscent of how Nnamdi Kanu, from abroad, directed the destruction during the EndSARS protest.
Thirdly, constructive dialogue is key to resolving issues and disagreements, which are inevitable in any society. When conflicts arise between governments and groups over policy issues, dialogue is always the best resolution. Despite the remonstrations of Organized Labour over the National Minimum Wage, they eventually resorted to negotiations with the government, resulting in a new minimum wage more than 100% higher than the old one, with a commitment from President Tinubu for a review every three years.
The hashtag #EndBadGovernance promoted by unknown protesters is dubious and contentious. It echoes the rhetoric of disgruntled opponents of President Tinubu who lost the 2023 presidential election and now seek power through the back door. This is unacceptable. The nation’s electoral laws stipulate how elections are won and lost. They should wait for the next election in 2027.
Where is the bad governance, one may ask? Yes, these are challenging times, but economic difficulties are not unique to Nigeria. Countries around the world are in turmoil. President Tinubu is applying the right measures to address the ailing economy he inherited. The economic policies, widely commended, have gestation periods, and while some pain may occur during the transition, it is temporary. The distribution of palliatives needs to be intensified and vigorously pursued, with states and local governments partnering with the federal government to ensure effective distribution.
There is good news about the economy. The country has exited the ways and means trap, which had hindered progress. Confidence in the nation’s economy is growing. According to Finance Minister Wale Edun, debt service costs have declined from 97% to 68%, and non-oil revenue has surpassed targets by 30%. This means the government will have more funds for social services and infrastructure projects to improve Nigerians’ quality of life. The economy is growing, and the challenges of today will be overcome.
Therefore, this is not the time for a violent protest. It poses an existential threat to Nigeria and its democracy. It will not augur well for anyone, and we may all end up losers.
In summing up, I echo the insights of columnist Idowu Akinlotan in his July 21, 2024, Palladium column: “In sum, everybody may end up a loser, including opposition politicians galled by the outcome of the last presidential election, politicians who promote ethnic and religious exceptionalism, ethnic groups which resent the winner of the poll, youths who would likely become cannon fodder should the crisis blow out of proportion, and the country itself whose tenuous unity and untenable political structure have triggered tectonic shifts in the body politic. Nothing is certain, and this is no scaremongering.”
-Rahman is a Senior Presidential Aide
