Day 6 of nationwide protest: political leaders risk mob action
By Dailytab24
Background
The nationwide protest aimed to end bad governance and hunger in Nigeria has gone past its sixth day, which underscores the protestor’s determination to see to the end of the protest.
The protest aims to dissuade anti-people policies President Tinubu embarked on. The protest also called for the reversal of some of the policies made by the administration.
On the contrary, President Bola Amed Tinubu is adamant and has shown a rare determination to remain firm in his decisions.
He made an address to the people but was not able to address any of the demands of the protestors. In fact, he neglected the demands and bullishly spoke about his decisions and why he would continue to stand upon the decisions.
Reaction
The momentum of the protest changed after the president’s foolhardy stance that was visible in his speech. The protestors in the north now strongly consider attacking politicians to pass a clear message of desperation. The president has also said he is the leader and answers to no one.
He previously said that he was not helped by anyone during his election bid and has boasted that he used his money to muscle his way into Aso Rock.
He made the comments when rumours circulated that he and his godfathers are milking the country dry. The nonchalant attitude of the president has not helped address the situation of the country. Instead, it added fuel to the already raging fire.
President Tinubu has shown disdain to the protestors and believes the protest will fizzle out. Initially, he fought assiduously to nip the protest in the bud but failed when the protest began on the first of August. Six days on the spine, the protestors are challenging him and showing the rare courage never seen in the country.
Lagos State
In Lagos, the stronghold of the president, his supporters have used all manner of tactics to put out the fire of the protest. The state was accused of paying each street 500,000 Naira each to not come out for the protest. The state also contracted thugs who beat and chase away protestors wherever they are seen gathering. The thugs have also been seen attacking journalists covering the protest.
Lagos is used to protest, and it was the same Lagos that began and ended the End SARS protest. Lagos is like the capital of the southern region of the country, and thwarting the protest in Lagos will go a long way to affecting the overall output of southern states protesting against hardship and bad economy that had led to hunger and death.
The government of Lagos State has successfully lowered the momentum of the protest in Lagos, but there are still protestors coming out every day to speak. They face new attacks each day in the hands of security agents or state sponsored thugs. The momentum may have drastically lowered, but the protest is alive in the state.
President Bola Amed Tinubu was accused of putting the final nail on the coffin of End SARS protest when he allegedly ordered soldiers to shoot directly at the protestors occupying Lekki Toll Gate. That action instilled fear in the protestors and led to the end of the protest. Those protesting in Lagos are aware of what can happen in Lagos and have applied caution while engaging in their peaceful protest.
Rivers State
In Rivers State, the protest is shifting momentum and enjoys the support of the state government and security agents. Rivers protestors embraced law and order, and the protest leaders continue to strictly warn their comrades to remain peaceful and avoid vandalizing government or public infrastructures. The protest has largely remained peaceful while echoing the memories of End SARS.
It was reported that the protestors marched to the home of the former governor, Nyesom Wike, who is the minister of the federal capital territory.
Wike mocked the protestors prior to August 1st and said his supporters would be celebrating on first August and not protesting. He also chided the protestors and questioned why they had refused to give President Tinubu time to effect the change he planned for the country.
Initially, the report said that the country home of the minister was torched and vandalized, but it was later confirmed that the protestors did not vandalize nor torch the home of the minister.
Wike is not popular with the political echelon of the state due to his fight with the sitting governor. Also, Wike is seen as part of the federal government that has caused hunger and hardship in the country.
Northern Region
In the North, the protest appears to be shifting from the original vow of peaceful protest to something never seen in the country before. The homes of lawmakers in Jigawa and Yobe were torched and vandalized, with the protestors accusing them of failing to represent them well since they were elected.
The trend of attacking lawmakers and political leaders has not yet taken over the country. Only the northern region has moved closer to the idea. The attack on political leaders in the country could change the landscape of the protest.
Reports of killings come out from the northern region every day, with the protest getting more desperate as the ten days mark draws closer.
The northern political leaders are clueless as to how to manage the protestors or calm the situation. Despite the killings being reported in the northern states, the protestors keep coming out and getting stronger each day since the presidential address.
Abuja has seen a decent protest, with the protestors continuing to stand firm in the face of gun-wielding policemen and soldiers. The chant for military takeover continues to go on, with the Russian flag being strongly condemned. The protestors in the northern region continue to chant Russia, Russia…
State Action
The federal government has announced the arrest of Spaniards- tailors, and foreign nationals they said they were behind the protest. They said the arrested people are sponsors of the protest, but no Russian expatriate has been arrested.
Amidst the arrest, the federal government has also announced they have put some diaspora individuals on the watch list and blocked their accounts to thwart financing of the protest. The move underscores a new approach by the federal government to quell the protest.
Conclusion
The protest will last for ten days, with no intention of announcement from the protestors of any plan to go beyond the ten days it originally announced.
