Renowned Nigerian scholar and columnist, Professor Farooq Kperogi, shared his thoughts on the #EndBadGovernance protest that recently took place in Nigeria.
Was the purpose of the #EndBadGovernance protest achieved?
The protest encompassed various deep-seated grievances in Nigeria, with diverse demands from different segments of society. While the specific goals of the protest were not fully realized, it did succeed in unsettling those in power who had become complacent since 2015.
Moreover, the protest demonstrated a potential resurgence of democratic citizenship and unity among Nigerians in addressing pressing national issues.
What were the weaknesses of the protest?
The lack of a unified demand was a significant weakness of the protest. Unlike previous protests that were centered on specific issues, the #EndBadGovernance protest had a broad range of demands, making it easier for the government to evade addressing them adequately.
Why do you think the protest in the North turned violent?
The violent nature of the protest in the North can be attributed to several factors, including the response of security forces, heightened poverty, and a sense of hopelessness among the population. These conditions, coupled with societal unrest, contributed to the escalation of violence.
How would you describe the government’s use of force during the protest?
While some instances of force may have been justified, there were also reports of law enforcement agencies using excessive force against peaceful protesters in certain regions. The destruction of property by some protesters further complicated the situation.
Do you think foreign influence played a role in the protest?
There are ongoing debates about potential foreign influence in the protest, particularly regarding the waving of Russian flags. Some protesters may have intentionally used Russian symbology as a form of protest against Western powers and their economic policies in Nigeria. However, this simplistic view ignores the complexities of global power dynamics and the self-interested motives of various countries.
Incompetence
The waving of the Russian flag by misguided protesters does not indicate any evidence of Russia funding the demonstration. It reflects the actions of individuals who lack understanding and belittle themselves.
How should the government approach those detained for displaying the flag?
It is understandable why government officials would be puzzled by protesters brandishing Russian flags while demanding an end to poor governance in Nigeria. It highlights a significant cultural embarrassment, showcasing a deep-seated sense of inferiority that leads to self-deprecation and a lack of pride in one’s own nation and culture while glorifying others uncritically.
Does this amount to treason? No. Waving a foreign flag during a protest against the local government does not pose a credible threat to overthrow the government. Therefore, arresting individuals for waving a foreign flag is an overreach in law enforcement. While the pro-Russian actions of the protesters display national self-deprecation, it does not amount to treason by any stretch of the imagination.
A government that is confident in its legitimacy would overlook the actions of those waving the Russian flag.
Following the president’s response to the #EndBadGovernance protest, opposition presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi criticized his failure to address the demands. Do you believe their assessment was fair?
Absolutely! The presidential address was insipid, mundane, and unproductive. It was viewed as self-serving and unnecessarily threatening. The president did not address any of the protesters’ demands but instead reinforced the policies that sparked the protests.
What approach do you think Nigerians should take to demand good governance from the authorities?
There are no definitively correct methods. However, it is evident that government officials only take notice when citizens protest. The monumental efforts, expenditures, and tactics employed by the government to suppress or contain the protest demonstrate this.
Even a reluctant and insensitive national broadcast by the president was compelled by the protest. Prior to this, the government operated as if everything was in order and the concerns of the people were meaningless. The president did not consider Nigerians worthy of a broadcast.
He never granted interviews, not even to government-owned media outlets, let alone private ones.
Suddenly, everything changed with a protest. As disruptive and unsettling protests may be, they seem to be the primary avenue to draw concessions from those in power in Nigeria, or to communicate the frustrations of the populace to them.
President Tinubu has requested more time to address challenges in Nigeria, yet the citizens are grappling with adversity. How long do you think Nigerians should wait?
A discerning individual can predict the future based on the past and present circumstances. There is no indication that the IMF/World Bank policies being pursued by Tinubu will yield different results from those experienced by other nations.
These uniform policies have led to disastrous outcomes globally. Removing subsidies from vital goods and services, devaluing the currency, imposing heavy tax burdens on a distressed population, and transferring wealth from the poor to the rich all depress the economy, erode the middle class, and restrict the ability of ordinary citizens to sustain themselves, let alone engage in discretionary spending.
This trend was observed in Nigeria from the 1980s to the early 1990s when former military president Ibrahim Babangida embraced and implemented the IMF’s Structural Adjustment Programme, akin to Tinubu’s current initiatives.
IBB sought more time, promising temporary discomfort for long-term gains that never materialized during his tenure.
This pattern repeats in developing countries that relinquish their autonomy to the World Bank and the IMF, suggesting an endless waiting game for Nigerians.
What is your stance on the proposition for Nigeria to adopt a unicameral legislature to reduce governance costs?
I advocate for a unicameral legislature in Nigeria. The current bicameral system is a wasteful duplication of resources that uncritically mimics the American model – a system born of unique historical circumstances that differ from Nigeria’s.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives increasingly serve as mere extensions of the presidency, reinforcing the case for a unicameral legislature.
A group of distinguished elder statesmen urged President Tinubu to prioritize a people-centric constitution. Why is achieving this goal proving challenging for the government?
I concur that the current constitution is fundamentally flawed and that a new, consensus-based constitution is essential. The difficulty lies in the fact that calls for a new constitution typically come from those outside the corridors of power. Once in office, individuals tend to uphold the status quo.
Most current officeholders acknowledged the need for constitutional reform in the past but now protect the 1999 constitution. It wouldn’t be surprising if those advocating for change now alter their stance upon gaining power.
Beyond constitutional reform, Nigeria’s challenge lies in the lack of political will among those in power to enforce existing laws. A people-oriented constitution relies on active enforcement by those in authority to be effective.
In 2022, you penned an article critiquing former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for religious bias and highlighted reasons he could exacerbate religious tensions. Some believe he could have been a superior president. Do you share this viewpoint?
Predicting the efficacy of Yemi Osinbajo as a president is speculative, as his economic policies align closely with Bola Tinubu’s and other presidential candidates. Both have advocated for similar policy measures including subsidy removal and currency devaluation.
The administration under Buhari and Osinbajo made no provisions for petrol subsidies in the 2023 budget, showcasing their alignment with Tinubu’s policies. If their approaches are indistinguishable, what makes Osinbajo a preferable choice over Tinubu as president?
Did you face any repercussions for your critical article, and do you believe your assessment was too harsh?
The article received acclaim for being fact-based and well-substantiated. While there were individuals who disapproved due to their vested interests, this response is not unique to my critiques of Osinbajo, whom I had previously commended when unaware of his actions.