A cloud of uncertainty seems to be hanging on the country at the moment following the reported plan by some Nigerians to stage massive protests against the present administration in the country.
The looming protests have reportedly been dubbed: “#End Bad Governance in Nigeria.”
As a prelude to the looming quagmire, Nigerians have had to contend with an unusual level of suffering and hardship occasioned by ever-increasing cost of goods and services that many say, is unprecedented in country’s annals.
Inflation has reportedly hit over 34 per cent. This is believed to be the highest in nearly three decades amid a cost of living crisis that was apparently exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu’s removal of petrol subsidy on the first day of his presidency on May 29, 2023.
To worsen matters, the Naira shaded so much weight compared to the dollar, and other international currencies as petrol price rose astronomically.
Perhaps the high cost of food items remains the worst culprit, and could be one of the major reasons Nigerians may be out to march in the streets on August 1.
Despite assurances, the over-a-year administration of Tinubu does not seem to have given citizens the much-needed hope that things could turn around for the better, beyond sharing of the so-called palliatives.
Consequently, frustrated Nigerians have reportedly taken to various social media platforms to mobilise protests starting from August 1, there has also been apprehension that the protests could turn violent, or go the way of the recent Kenyan protests.
While peaceful protests remain the inalienable right of the citizens, it is curious that up till now, the Tinubu-led has not deemed it fit to begin to address the demands of Nigerians vis-à-vis the planned mass protests.
We urge the Tinubu-led Federal Government of Nigeria not to wait until the protests kick off on August 1, before it can begin to address the demands of ‘struggling’ masses.
For instance, we see nothing strange if President Tinubu makes a u-turn by returning subsidy on petrol. This, in our considered view, remains the first step to bringing back the nation’s tottering economy. Once this is done, it is our belief that other things will start falling back in their right places.