OCCUPY NIGERIA: LESSONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The mid 2011, April to be precise witnessed the advent of what is now known as “Arab Spring” which started in Tunisia. Like a deadly cancer spread to Egypt, Yemen, Syria and then Libya with its attendant unseat of Hosni Mubarak, then “almighty” Mummud Gaddaffi. All these happened with the power of protests. Little wonder that the Prestigious Time Magazine Person of the Year went to the “World Protesters”. As if that was not enough, the so called developed world also got its own fair share the waves of protest in 2011 starting from #OccupyWallstreet, #OccupyOrkland, etc, though not for regime change.
All these laid credence to the much talked about #OccupyNigeria which started on 2nd January, 2012 in FCT which was a culmination of the dramatic removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government on 1st January. The subsidy removal brought the price of PMS from N65 to N141 (about 120% increase), hence, the prices of all goods and services skyrocketed. It is worthy of note that the FG went ahead with this obnoxious policy, which Nigerians believe was an IMF agenda, despite the previous revelation by former Petroleum Minister, David West and other sector analysts that the much talked about subsidy does not exit and therefore a fraud.
However, it must be reiterated here that, although the idea of #OccupyNigeria was in the offing months prior the Jan. 2nd Abuja protest, the removal brought it to the limelight. The objects of #OccupyNigeria are viz; good governance, anti-corruption, cutting government opulence life style, and provision of infrastructural facilities. It was a lofty idea, I must admit and only a bad thinking Nigerian would not join the chorus.
Before I am engrossed in amnesia, the purpose of the piece is to examine achievements and lessons learnt from #OccupyNigeria. It is also the intention of the writer to encourage Nigerians to sustain such tempo and spirit, because it has great potentials of bringing the change Nigerians are panting for and put the people in the corridor of power on their toes. It must therefore be said here that all opinions are 100% mine and I am expecting others thoughtful minds to write something about their own experiences too.
ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Information is power. One of the gains of #OccupyNigeria is that many Nigerians are now informed beyond rhetoric. Nigerians are now alerted about the scandalous 2012 budget and more importantly the running of the government. A new citizen spirit has emerged. The discovery that feeding in Aso Rock for 2012 is to engulf a whopping sums N1 billion while millions of Nigerians are wallowing below, further sparked off the anger of Nigerians.
2. The protests which occurred in different parts of the country exposed the extravagant and opulence life of Nigerian politicians to the world. In fact, the solidarity protests by Nigerians in diaspora in London, USA, Malaysia, South Africa, Spain etc further gave wide popularity to to Nigerians’ demands despite the intentional media black-out and also served as a formidable pressure on the government. Perhaps, the National Assembly probe after the protests ended is an eloquent testimony that the protest was successful.
3. Although the protest ended abruptly against the wishes of the protesters, thanks to the dictatorial and undemocratic attitude of ‘General Goodluck Jonathan who declared a ‘mini-state of emergency’ in all the state capital, the protests made the recalcitrant FG to rescind on its former stance. Like a General announcing a successful coup d’état, the president unilaterally announced the reduction of price of PMS to N97.
4. The protests did not only achieve the reduction of price of PMS but it gathered dusts: That the Minister of Finance has no idea of how subsidy funds were spent and disbursed; the so called cabal members that are feeding fat on the subsidy; the Mr. President, the C in C, is not in control of Nigeria; the government officials inflate the subsidy figure at will for their own parochial interest; that governance in Nigeria lacks accountability and transparency; that Mr. President has no gut to question his ministers; that almost all the governors supported the removal.
5. The 12-day protests revealed that Nigerians are capable joining forces despite our religious and tribal differences. The protests witnessed Nigerians all over the world coming together to say resounding NO the way politicians are running the affairs of the country. Hence, one Nigeria is not only possible but plausible.
LESSONS
1. The protest started on 2nd January by Nigerian in every walks of life and NLC/TUC only joined the struggle on 9th January with a nationwide strike. But the mistake here was that we allowed the Labour Movement to hijack the protest from Nigerians as if they were the one that started it, hence, their betrayal on 16th put a total stop to the movement nationwide. It must be said here in retrospect that apart from Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century, there had never been a time anywhere in the world that a Labour organization spearheaded such revolution. This is not unconnected to the fact that one cannot become a labour leader without first being a ‘labour politician’. Nigerians should not have expected so much from Labour Leaders in the first place.
2. The two days observed on Saturday and Sunday did more harm than good. Although the 2 days were to allow Nigerians to restock, but the break soften the tempo and poured cold water on the minds of protesters who were full of enthusiast prior to the break. Of course, the break allowed the FG to muster efforts together and deploy soldiers to the streets and venues of the protests before Nigerians woke up from their break on Monday.
3. A great lesson learnt was that the much needed change in Nigeria is possible and that our politicians can be prevailed upon by the electorates. Right in the midst of the protest Mr President announced 20% cut of salaries of members of the executive and also promised to reduce government officials’ junketing outside the country. Though these are not enough and apparently not only what we are clamouring for but it is an eloquent testimony that if we keep on asking questions we will put politicians on their toes. And in contrast, if we keep mute, we should not expect any change.
In conclusion, it is convenient here to say that Nigerians have learnt that politics should not be left in the hands of politicians. We don’t need to be among opposition parties, human right activist or CLO before we effect the desired result in this country. We have seen it in North African countries and most importantly we have seen its semblance here, that we can thrust the ethics of change and good governance into the hearts of our politician. Hence, the change we are craving for is in our hands.
Be that as it may, this write up will not complete without acknowledging some patriots who gave their precious lives so as to achieve good governance in Nigeria during the January Occupy Nigeria. Though as I would like, I was not able to get their names, but I was told that we lost about 15 great Nigerians. We pray that may their gentle souls rest in perfect peace. We are proud of them and their names and bravery are written on the plate of our hearts. Meanwhile, I have the honour acknowledging our heroes, though time and space may not permit me to mention all their name; Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mallam El-Rufia, J. Japheth Omojuwa, Kola Oyeneyin, Kayode Ogundamisi , Tolu Ogunlesi, Babatunde Rosanwo, Odewale ‘Egghead’, and Seun Okin, among others.
God Bless Nigeria!
Olujide Gbenga D. 26/01/2012
