TheCable

BY ABDULLAHI YUNUSA

Regardless of our diverse political affiliation, ethnic persuasion or ideological leaning, the general feeling out there is that of worsening frustration and unbridled sense of anomie, especially among ordinary Nigerians. Undoubtedly, Nigeria is currently experiencing one of its toughest moments as a sovereign nation. Literally, It does appear that God and nature aren’t happy with us. 

In all honesty, no one had thought things could take this disturbing dimension given our sheer human and material resources, coupled with the galaxy of cerebral Nigerians and problem solvers that we parade as a country. The problems are legion and appear unsolvable despite repeated assurances from leaders across all levels of government.

Nigeria is presently faced with various socio-economic and existential challenges of diverse proportion such as corruption, insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, farmers/herders face-off, ethnic clashes, religious tension, soaring poverty level and wanton lack. It is indeed a difficult moment for Nigerians, especially those on the lower rung of the ladder. But as difficult as things appear at the moment, calling or staging a revolution is way too extreme a solution. It hasn’t gotten to that level yet. It hasn’t gone beyond redemption, hence the need for each and everyone of us to thread with caution.

Everyone, including the government of the day is aware of the fact that things aren’t working out as expected, but suggesting a revolution as the way out of the national confusion we currently find ourselves is completely off the mark, and tantamount to pouring fuel into a raging fire. There is no point exacerbating a situation that is capable of consuming us all. This is exactly where I disagree with Omoyele Sowore’s option of a revolution.

The issues raised by Omoyele Sowore and his team are quite germane and plausible, but the snag remains his modus operandi as well as the nomenclature of the exercise. At least, the Nigerian 1999 constitution, as amended makes provision for peaceful assembly, and encourages Nigerians to demand for accountability and probity from their elected and appointed representatives through peaceful and legitimate means.

So, should Sowore and his men had simply restricted their activity to just protest and not a revolution it would have received the nods of more Nigerians. In retrospect, the experience of January 2012 nationwide protest against fuel subsidy removal remains quite fresh in my head. It all began as a normal protest and other Nigerians, given its non-violent or confrontational approach or nomenclature naturally joined the fray. They saw it as a formidable platform to engage the government, and they did.

The 2012 protest, unlike the botched Sowore’s was largely devoid of political affiliation. The protest was initiated, midwifed and launched by Nigerians from diverse backgrounds consisting of civil society members, professionals, youth-based organisations, students, artisans and ordinary Nigerians who felt the then federal government wasn’t doing enough to address their plight.

Understandably, the 2012 protest equally had the support and buy-in of politicians, especially those in the opposition, but the propounders of the protest never gave any politician the opportunity or room to hijack the exercise. They were in firm in their resolve to be in charge of their game. There is a marked difference from what Sowore had planned. Having contested and lost the 2019 presidential election, many of us now see him more as a politician and not the activist that he was. So, on what ground was he calling for a revolution? As a politician or an activist?

So, the President Muhammadu Buhari government wasn’t wrong when it summarily concluded that Sowore’s action was far from just organizing a peaceful protest to hold government accountable, but a well carefully planned attempt to destabilise the nation for political reasons.

In my considered opinion, Sowore wasn’t contemplative in his approach. I doubt if he truly understands what a revolution means. He didn’t actually think through his plans before he went before the press to announce them on national television. The uprisings that swept out some African leaders in the last decade never had any single nomenclature, and that was simply why it succeeded. Telling a sitting government that you are planning a revolution against it is akin to a businessman divulging his marketing strategies to his closest competitor. It doesn’t make any sense at all.

The uprisings in Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, and lately Sudan began with just mere protests on the streets. Those behind the protests remained largely unknown until the exercises have gained considerable traction. So, Sowore wasn’t tactical and strategic in his approach at all. He blindly played into the hands of those who truly want him out of circulation.

There is no government around the world that would have sat back and watch Omoyele Sowore and his men carry out their plan. The consequences of allowing such action could be dire on both the nation and its citizens. So, men of the Department of State Services weren’t wrong for effecting the arrest of the chief proponent of the #RevolutionNow struggle. It is the right and appropriate thing to do given the existing tension and apprehension across the country.

Constant dialogue, constructive engagements and negotiations are good tools for resolving whatever issues bedeviling our nation today. Violence or public disorder can never be an option. We must all be willing to come together as countrymen and men to highlight our differences and find lasting solutions to them. God forbid, should we resolve to go to war, we shall still return to the same dialogue table for resolution. So, isn’t it better to dialogue than go to war? As often advocated by crisis Communications practitioners, “It is better to jaw-jaw than war-war “.

The challenges facing our great nation are not insurmountable. We’ve had very terrible and horrifying experiences in the past, but came out stronger and better. Let’s replicate same gesture at this time and season. This is the only country we have. Let’s strive hard to build and not destroy it.

Yunusa writes from FHA, Lugbe, Abuja. [email protected]