Protests and Responsibility: Navigating Activism to Prevent Destruction and Preserve Unity

Protests are neither wrong nor bad, and we should never discourage people from protesting because when people cannot openly protest against misgovernance, poverty, and suffering, they could go underground and sabotage the state. This underscores the urgent need for responsible activism.

It’s heartening to see the faces behind these protests. The fact that this is not a spontaneous, uncontrolled action, but a coordinated effort by well-known individuals, is a positive sign. The involvement of security agencies in ensuring safety at the venues and along the planned routes adds to this sense of hope and optimism.

Be that as it may, every protest has its challenges, and there is a high tendency that tomorrow’s protest will be infiltrated by those who have nothing to lose because of the frustrations and grievances against the state. Some believe that burning down national assets, commercial houses, and cars, inconveniencing others who are not part of the protests, is the only way to be heard.

As someone who participated in planned protests in my younger days, my experience showed that strike or protest planners might know the beginning. Still, they usually do not see the end because of various power plays, such as internal conflicts, external interference, or the hijacking of the protest’s agenda. When the unions protested the pump price increase in petroleum products in 2023, many turned it into an ‘Obasanjo must go’ event. The protests starting tomorrow may not be an exception.

When Kenyans started their protest, it was to reverse a finance bill, but as it progressed, national assets and commercial edifices belonging to private individuals were destroyed. Later, they asked for the President to resign. Protests usually start small but, if mismanaged, could snowball into major crises. As events continue to unfold, it’s crucial for all Nigerians to recognize their collective responsibility in preventing such destructive acts. The government’s role in providing security is not to intimidate protesters, but to guide the routes and prevent any undesirable outcomes. This collective effort can empower us all to make a positive difference. After the ashes of the protests settle, we still need a country to which we will return.

Grace and peace!!!