PROTEST: WHEN THE LEARNED JOIN THE BANDWAGON

By: Shehu Bashir Esq

Often times, activism against government comes in different sentimental clothing. Many so-called activists are even paid to do what they do. Some are just on blind hatred for anybody in power while some just take up arm for perceived ostracism from government and governance. When this is the case, the execution of any protest is rarely objective and reasonable, it becomes an uncontrollable mob of destruction.

After endsars riot, it came out to the public that the organizers were actually financially mobilized to do what they did. That eventually led to serious violence and against the original motive of the protest. The aftermath destruction was monumental. This is why some of us are skeptical about protest of any kind, especially at this volatile time.

We oppose this particular protest at this time not because we don’t know that lawful protest is democratic or that we are blindly excusing some if government’s obvious infractions and policy summersault, we are only concerned that this kind of protest with such mob mentality can snowball into chaos, violence and anarchy. It is always an unpredictable and precarious situation that can lead to something worse. Something very undesirable.

This fear has already played out. In some parts of the country, it has turned to violence and several other places are gathering momentum. Injuries have been recorded already. The biggest ICT Centre built by NCC to train the same youth has been razed down by the irate youths. Government and private properties have been destroyed while looting took the order of the day. Many people have reportedly died during the riot. So, what is the gain of this violence for God’s sake?

Sadly, those who initiated this protest do not even have the capacity to control the violent mob. Many of the protesters now causing chaos are relatively unknown faces. The peace of the nation is now at the mercy of uncontrollable mob. No thanks to the promoters of the violence who took over the social media to promote the protest-riot but are no where to be found when the fire is now burning the nation.

The only recognizable faces with a potential root of trace among the several other faceless people fueling this protest are Ebunoluwa-Olu Adegboruwa SAN and Deji Adeyanju Esq. Both of them are lawyers. One is a senior lawyer while the other is a junior one. However loud their voices were before the protest took off, they are now missing in action to condemn the actions of the mob.

Both of them have taken what is rather a sentimental and emotional jump at this planned protest without necessarily having the ability to determine the course of the eventuality of the protest should that go violent and anarchical. Now it has gone violent in some parts of Kaduna and Kano. Where is the wisdom in their actions? How poor was their judgement in this volatile time?

Interestingly, both men made official public announcements as the representatives of the protesters, acting for and on behalf of the so called “take it back” and “end the bad governance“ protesters whom majority of Nigerians do not know. Both men are taking this responsibility without “officially submitting to the appropriate authority details of their demonstration”. This was the claim of the IGP.

According the IGP Egbetokun, the protesters and their legal representatives have not made available to the security agencies the details of their demonstrations. Yet, these people want to take it back. Yet, the organizers have not even explained to us what they are taking back from who and how they want to end the “bad” government? Do they plan to do that through protest by undermining the constituted authority? The organizers should avail Nigerians of their ways and means.

As the reality is setting in that what they are planning to do without proper and grip control on their co-protesters, Mr. Adegboruwa just “appealed” to protesters to reduce the protest days from the earlier ten days period to one day. The implication of this is the expression of fear on his part that he might have jumped on a ship he doesn’t know the captain to early, too quick. Mr. Adegboruwa seems to have thought it through, though too late, that he might have jumped at this too early. too quick without initial consideration for potential consequences of what may start peaceful but end violent.

Now, the question is, who are these lawyers speaking for and on whose behalf? They have said they are representing the planners of the protest and they will also personally take part in the protest. Would they also speak for those who destroyed properties and caused injures?

Deji Adeyanju was seen at the Abuja venue of the protest with co-protesters but sadly, the protesters left the designated venue to town against the court order. Adeyanju could not even stop them from moving out of the designated venue. What if anything goes wrong around the Eagle Square with few metres proximity to the three arms zone? What if an action was to be brought against him for aiding the disobedience of court order?

Again, let us ask, who are the protesters they are representing? Are they speaking for an outlawed outfit that is desiring to burn down Nigeria and threatening Nigeria’s statehood? Are they speaking for those who want to replace current political office holders through illegal means? Are they also advocating for all that have been said and asked for by these protesters, especially the demand for the eradication of the constitution as demanded by the away player Sowore? These men should be conscious of what they are invoking and involving in. Posterity will judge anyone who encourages violence against the Nigeria state and Nigerians.

The bottom line here is, since they have taken official responsibility and representing the “organizers” of the protest, should anything go wrong during and after the protest, these two men, especially, and some other known faces who supported this will be vicariously liable for whatever happens. They cannot shy away from this and they can’t blackmail the government from holding them legally accountable for their actions.

Therefore, I want to appeal to learned leaders, especially, to stop jumping at every sentimental song against the government just because they want to appear pro-people. Unguided call for mob action against the government cannot do anyone any good. Mob action can go either way and everyone is a potential victim. Dialogue has never failed in negotiation except some people just don’t have the sense of persuasion to drive home their points.

On this, we are all sitting at home, watching as things unfold while we hope and pray that things don’t go any bad. Whatever dialogue cannot solve can never be solved by violence. Let’s avoid making incitiful statements and let’s give peace a chance.

GOD IS HERE