Tony Dania, a Human Rights Activist and Lawyer, stated that the #EndBadGovernance protest has made significant progress by accomplishing approximately 25% of its target even before officially commencing.
He credited this progress to the government’s introduction of popular policies such as reducing rice prices, supporting Dangote’s local refinery, and endorsing a minimum wage for workers.
During a press conference held in Lagos on Wednesday, Dania highlighted that the protests emerged due to the government’s reactive approach towards the underlying issues that triggered the public outcry.
He remarked, “They are implementing populist measures like selling rice and addressing the Dangote refinery issue, actions that should have been taken earlier. In my view, the protest has achieved some success already.”
Although voicing support for peaceful protests, Dania refrained from active participation citing inadequate coordination.
He expressed concerns that the demonstrations could be infiltrated by miscreants, potentially leading to fatal outcomes and societal turmoil.
According to the activist, the protest organizers lack cohesive strategies.
He questioned, “Can these organizers effectively control the protests if disrupted by criminals? Will they be able to manage counter-protests against the demonstrations since the government or politicians may instigate violence? Can they effectively handle such situations?
“While I endorse the purpose of the protest, I am wary of its exploitation by criminals or politicians. It is difficult to prevent unruly elements or government-backed disruptions.
“Though justified, protests should not serve as a platform for violence or destruction. We cannot condone incidents like the unfortunate attacks on law enforcement during the #EndSARS unrest.
“I advocate for protests that are constructive and orderly, minimizing the typical damages witnessed in Nigerian protests.
“What I am doing here can also be deemed as a form of protest, one that is impactful without causing harm to society.”
Dania observed that the root cause of the protests lies in prevalent corruption among government officials at various levels, instances of alleged fraud and illicit enrichment, high living costs, limited support for small and medium-scale industries, economic challenges posed by the oil, gas, and maritime sectors, as well as youth agitation and unemployment.
He proposed that the Federal Government should adopt self-executing populist policies and bolster the Dangote refinery, a move he believes can significantly boost the nation’s economy by generating numerous job opportunities and fostering sustainable economic growth by supporting local farmers and addressing security concerns effectively.
Dania predicted that the protests might not extend the stipulated ten days as announced by the organizers, considering the significant portion of Nigerians reliant on daily wages for sustenance who may not afford an extended protest period.