I decided to pen my thoughts because as a nation, I see we have failed to learn from history; and I fear that the resultant effects of this failure to learn can and will be more catastrophic than any and all previous experiences that were a result of the same mistakes being made in present day Nigeria.
Notably, this protest is not about you as a person, it is against the ruling elites who are being viewed or perceived to have shown no mercy, sympathy or empathy for the common man. As the President and Commander-in-Chief, it is not only common sensical but also natural that you bear the brunt of the hunger, anger and hurt of your citizens.
Mr. President, I will start from the most critical issue which is the inviolability of our union as a Country. The government’s failure to address the sharp division along tribal and religious lines orchestrated during the elections has crystalized and is gradually snowballing into a full-blown crisis. As experienced in time past, we are seeing/hearing calls for protests against the Igbos in Lagos and the clamor for them to leave Lagos (the same script which played out just before the Nigerian Civil war of 1967 when the Igbos were asked to leave the north). Sadly, if events spiral downwards in the same manner, it just might spell the end of Nigeria; indeed, all the geo-political regions and most tribes are sufficiently armed and ready to war. Mr. President may it not go down in history that you midwifed the decimation of Nigeria or that Nigeria collapsed under your supritendence.. Mr President please make hay while the sun shines.
It is commonly said that when a fly perches on one’s scrotum, the use of force is not the solution as it can lead to more devastating consequences. It is expedient that you know that threat and/or use of force, and grandstanding against your own citizens who are simply asking for better governance and standards of living is an absolute no no. Na “hard man hard man’’ land Naija for wahala in 1967’. There are definitely other ways to approach this issue; Government, it is often said must have a human face but your actions, reactions and body language speak to the contrary. As a leader, you must constantly engage the people you lead – speak to us in good times, in bad times, and most importantly, in times of turmoil such as we are presently experiencing.
A very obvious example of this government’s failure to identify with its people is the on-going protests tagged “10 days of rage”. Notice of this protest came over a month ago, yet nothing was done. Even after it started, it took you 72 hours (3 days) to speak to your children in a manner and with words that lacked inspiration, to a certain degree empty, and showed no concrete efforts or actions to address the various concerns and demands of the protesters. Your speech simply buttressed the fact that our leaders are detached from reality. Your handlers may have told you that you should not appear weak and must use strong words to show power and authority but Mr. President, there is nothing weak in listening to your people and/or acceding to their needs… Mr. President please make hay while the sun shines
Mr. President, while you are not totally responsible for the rotten state of the Nation as you are barely 15 months in office, you cannot be divorced or detached from its predicaments. You did not just incubate the historic building of an opposition that wrestled power from an incumbent, but you have also been in the corridors of power for a very long time. As of today, you are the most experienced politician to ever become president in Ngeria; and having built alliances across all the geo-political zones in the Country, surely you must know where all the dead bodies are buried. It is quite disturbing and disheartening that certain things are happening under your watch… Mr. President please make hay while the sun shines
In analyzing our challenges as a Country, Argentina comes to mind; just a few months ago it was in a state worse than Nigeria with an inflation rate that was over the roof, With its economy in shambles, hunger filled the land and the country was near bankruptcy; but in came President Javier Milei, who took the reins of power and began sincere and concrete reforms; the results are there for all to see. Mr. President surely, we can learn a thing or two with modifications to suit the peculiarity of our clime by cutting government expenditure, reducing overheads, blocking leakages, and increasing our revenue and productivity. With these actions, I am certain that before long, Nigeria’s dignity and status as the giant of Africa will be restored. Mr. President please make hay while the sun shines
Mr. President, please permit me to highlight some steps you should take to show yourself as a leader who truly cares and listens. Nigeria and Nigerians are languishing in hunger and penury because what is being produced cannot service its budget; a nation such as ours that is in huge debt cannot afford to have forty-eight (48) ministers – the largest cabinet in our history. This is the time to cut down on expenses and save money. You must expunge the so called “hardship allowance” wardrobe allowance and many unnecessary monetary additions being paid to members of the National Assembly while their constituents can barely feed; create a leaner infrastructure that is more efficient by merging ministries and parastatals with similar or duplicate mandates and responsibilities.
Mr. president you must lead by example. You cannot ask the people to sacrifice without providing leadership in this regard; a budget of twenty-one billion Naira (21bn) to build or renovate a Vice-Presidential residence is absolutely in bad taste. Seventy billion Naira (70Bn) for National Assembly members to acquire SUVs at 108 million Niara each; Four Billion Naira (4bn) for Dodan barracks; another three billion Naira (3bn) for Aguda house; 1.5bn for vehicles in the first lady’s office; 21m for senators per month; 13.5m for Reps monthly; 300% salary and allowances increase for judges? Rumours of acquitsition of Yatch, etc. All these and more reeks of so much extravagance in these very austere times?
On the issue of procuring a presidential jet, let us even concede without agreeing that it was absolutely necessary, what happens to the previous fleet? Would it not have been wiser to sell some and just add top-up funds to acquire the new one? All these while “we the people” experience the worst kind of crippling and biting inflation? Surely, you cannot expect us to clap for you while dying of hunger and barely surviving. Perception is key to the situation we have found ourselves and Mr President please make hay while the sun shines
Furthermore, Mr. President, these protests you see across the country are revolts against Nigerias’ Kleptomaniac ruling class not just you as a person or the seat of the Presidency as they are seen as lacking empathy for the people and having no care for the plight of the people just amassing wealth, getting all the can, canning all they get and sitting on it while they people hunger and suffer. I think it was President JF Kenndy who said “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, then it definitely cannot save the few who are rich” JF Kennedy January 20 1961.
I personally cannot remember the last time NNPC, CBN, FIRS, and other very juicy Government Parastatals so to say had a public and open recruitment, yet daily the number of their employees swell employing children of the rich, mighty and connected while the ordinary citizens are constantly overlooked even when they are qualified. There has to be transparency and meritocracy in the activities and operations of the government which will help build and solidify the culture of hard work and dignity in labour. Mr President please make hay while the sun shines
In Addition Mr President, As a nation, we cannot continue to reward evil and bad behavior, this is one of the reasons for the anger in the land, you have made some appointments and some of them have questionable characters or have been involved in one malaise or the other, what message are we passing to the younger generation, that you can get away with anything as long as you have connections? Certain examples abound, Madam Macauley should be sacked with immediate effect; she was not only caught hoarding palliatives meant to cushion the effect of hardship brought on by COVID 19, but also known to have used same as souvenirs for her birthday. Haba! What message are we passing down to the younger ones? There is also one of your new DGs who was sacked for embezzlement but now has an appointment under your government… Mr President what lessons or legacy are we giving our younger generation…. Mr President please make hay while the sun shines
When you put all these together, you should see clearly why “we the people” are on the streets. You promised us renewed hope in this nation; that was your slogan for election.
However, hopelessness has filled our land. And guess what Sir? Hopelessness births chaos. Now imagine it being fueled by hunger and anger…. Mr. president force will not solve this issue o! There is a yoruba saying “oju pipon o ran cigar, – red eyes cannot light cigarette”
Mr. President, your silence and the impunity with which your appointees and cronies ala Wike, Asari Dokubo, Onanuga etc are responding to the pains and agitations of the people might just be the last straw that will break the camel’s back. When Nigerians who love life and know how to live it to the fullest say they would rather die on the streets than sit at home and die, then you should know that the handshake has gone beyond the elbow and it has become critical to not just act, but act right by executing the following suggestions which I consider low hanging fruits urgently:
Immediately cut down the number of ministers and appointees to the barest minimum necessary.
Immediate review of allowances of National assembly members and appointees… what is hardship allowance, wardrobe allowance and many other ridiculous allowances that further present the ruling class as insensitive to the people.
Identify credible men and women of integrity who can and will engage the protesters thereby showing that the government is serious about negotiations and is for the people. Address and resolve the grievances of the protesters and watch the protest fizzle out naturally
Address the hunger in the land which is a uniting force against the government and its leaders; the rich have become attractive as food for survival as crimes has astronomically increased so much so that what we considered as petty crimes have become dangerous.
Amend the Electoral Act – Make electronic transmission of results mandatory at polling units.
Immediate review of your appointee and removing those of questionable character and those with one corrupt issues hanging over their heads, perception is key to repairing the damaged confidence in your Government.
Address and Punish those who have been found wanting financially or due to incompetence.
Review electricity tariffs.
Reintroduce the petroleum subsidy as it was the only social intervention enjoyed by all citizens of the Country. The problem Nigeria faced in this sector was not the subsidy initiative in itself, but the corruption and sharp practices within that sector.
As a matter of fact, you told us that subsidy on petroleum products have been completely removed but conflicting reports show that subsidy is still being paid. Why then are the people buying petroleum products at such neck breaking rates? In other developed climes, they subsidize one thing or the other for their ctizens, especially energy, these subsidies in energy encourages manufacturing and production and makes them competitive in the international market. With our high energy cost rate and fuel rate how will the local manufacturer compete with goods from China? They are automatically disadvantaged and simply cannot compete or survive.
Mr. President, please make no mistake, this protest is against a kleptomaniac political class and the desire to end bad governance. Nigerian leaders have failed to realize that times have changed and the country is evolving. Yes, indeed you have made certain bold moves such as restoring local government autonomy, introducing the idea of local government electoral body etc. that are laudable, indeed necessary but not sufficient in addressing the inherent hunger in the land.
Always remember that you are dealing with a very resilient people. This is a generation that sustained Endsars in 2020 by surmounting every single obstacle they encountered; from providing mobile toilets, to feeding and even inventing solar powered infrastructure to charge their mobile devices in the course of the protest.
Mr. President you must understand that violence cannot quell the anger and hunger, instead it is hunger and anger that is uniting the common man against the political class. There is a need for urgent and proper strategy and it begins with identifying with “we the people” and showing yourself as a listening President and father. You must refuse to listen to those who care more for power over peace.
This is your foundation for peace and repositioning the Nation… Mr President please make hay while the sun shines
Ojugo Onyelukachukwu tweets at @gentleojay