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Food for Living: #EndSARS Movement: The Way Forward
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
It is no longer news that Nigeria has been trending for the wrong reasons. Almost all major news platforms in the world and world leaders have aired their views with respect to the ongoing protests in Nigeria. For the record, CNN, BBC, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal as well as world leaders like Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Members of UK Parliament just to mention a few have raised their voices in different capacities, advising the Federal Government of Nigeria and precisely the President Muhammadu Buhari, to arrest the situation by adhering to the legitimate demands of the #EndSARS protesters.
For the benefit of my readers who are not aware of the origin of this article, please take time to read my last week article, #ENDSARS in Nigeria, for a better understanding. It is important to mention that nothing brings a nation down more than insecurity and instability. When there is a total breakdown of law and order, it will be difficult for any nation to move forward, and also, it will be difficult for investors to invest therein. This is the true state of Nigeria at the moment. Globally, the number one responsibility of any President or leader of a country is the protection of lives and property of its citizens. As it stands now, the protection of lives and properties of the citizens of Nigerians is no longer a priority of the government. It is no longer news that the lives and properties of Nigerians have been destroyed and one begins to wonder if we have a functional government. This is because human lives seem to be of no value if we look at the way thugs and security agents killed peaceful protesters.
It’s important to mention that October 20, 2020 will remain indelible in the minds of Nigerians and the world globally because it was on this date, the military unleashed live bullets on unarmed peaceful protesters who were protesting at the Lekki Tollgate. The shootings were sadistic, draconian and insensitive. In saner climes, the President, Vice President, Governor of Lagos State, Chief of Army Staff and other key officials of the cabinet ought to have resigned, but the reverse is the case in Nigeria.
The level of impunity in Nigeria is at an alarming rate. It is disheartening to note that security officials in Nigeria can kill a citizen they are meant to protect and say with impunity nothing will happen, and mostly likely that’s the honest truth. It’s so sad and unfortunate to note that human lives has little or no value again in Nigerian
Due to the pressure from the international community and well-meaning citizens of Nigeria, the President Muhammadu Buhari was compelled to address the citizens after the bloody massacre, but the most heartbreaking and disheartening news the President gave to Nigerian was not being able to commensurate with the families of those who lost their loved ones, but he was quick condemn the killings of security officials. One begins to wonder if the president has empathy, even if the President doesn’t have empathy what happens to this sympathy? He didn’t speak like a leader who has blood flowing through his veins.
One begins to wonder what’s the way forward for the protesters. The youths have shown that they have what it takes to lead if you look at the way and manner they have conducted themselves during these protests. The organization was well coordinated. They had provision for Legal Aid, medical personnel, relief for victim’s brutality, mental health support, food and relief for fallen heroes. That said, many people are still wondering what’s the way forward? Many youths and concerned Nigerians are worried about the future of the protesters because they see hope in the energy and spirit of the youths.
It’s important to note that the youths have achieve some monumental progress namely: they made the government to disband ENDSARS police officers, the government accepted their five for five demands, the government has made effort to persecute erring officers who weren’t diligent in performing their duties and most importantly, they made the President to address the Nation even though the speech was nothing to write home about.
Again, I ask what’s the way forward for the #endSARS protesters? Many youths are worried about how to proceed. Here are my humble thoughts. Let’s be clear, every protest must have a leader(s)and every movement or protest must be structured. Even though some schools of thought are against having clear leaders so it won’t be hijacked and to the extent he/she is no longer alive or available, the movement can still proceed, however it’s pertinent to mention that without a clear cut leadership of the protest, it will he hard to coordinate the movement, the advantages of having a leadership is much better than not having a leadership structure. Here are my humble thoughts on why a leadership structure is needed.
1. A good leadership will help to direct and inform the protesters on the way forward
2. A good leadership structure will be in a better position to negotiate when need arises
3. A good leadership will give credibility to the movement in addition to ensuring it’s not hijacked
4. A good leadership will elaborate in detailed format what we stand for, our missions and visions
5. A good leadership will provide authentic information as opposed to fake news been peddled by rumor mongers
The list is literally endless. The question now becomes how can this work?
1. Structure:
We need a good structure that will articulate the direction of the protest, the guidelines of the protest and modus operandi of the movement. Without a good structure, the movement will look like a ship without a captain or a moving car without a direction.
2. Administration
We need a good administration that will run the internal affairs of the movement. A good administration can be likened to the parts of the body working for the well being of the body. As you may know, if any part of the body is not working well, other parts will be affected. A good administration is a like a blind spot which sees and hears what other people can’t see or hear and then report to the appropriate quarters for action
3. Resources
No doubt, we need resources to make the movement work. Without resources, it will be hard to get anything done. We are not fighting with ordinary mortals; we are fighting against forces in government uniforms. Resources are like blood and fuel in human beings and cars. Without blood and fuel, it will be hard for a human being and car to function very well. Again, if the agents of the government shut down any part of the campaign to raise money in Nigeria, those in diaspora and well-meaning people who are interested in developing and bringing change to the system can actually contribute meaningfully.
4. Strategy
The last but not the least is a strategy. Without a good strategy, it might be difficult to achieve any meaningful progress. You cannot underestimate the importance of strategy. In politics, strategy is very important for the success of any political campaign. Campaign can be likened to a Business Model Canvas (B.M.C). Our strategy must only be known by the internal agents who will then direct the people on where the next step. For example, we can decide when to go online and when to go on the street, we can decide on a particular dress code etc. Strategy involves reaching out to those in diaspora, learning from the elders who have been there before us in the fight for self-actualization, negotiating where need be and planning for the future.
In conclusion, I will strongly advise every patriotic citizen and lover of Nigeria not to give up because we have come a long way. The protest is not a sprint, but a marathon. I strongly believe, if we can brainstorm and articulate ideas on how to re-strategize the protest, I believe we will have a good chance of achieving our aim.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the author of the acclaimed book Design Your Destiny – Actualizing Your Birthright To Success and President of gloemi.com. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to deepen, as the President Bola Tinubu’s daughter, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, on Wednesday, called for the disbandment of the influential Justice Forum and Mandate Movement groups over alleged manipulation of the party’s primaries.
Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, specifically faulted the conduct of the House of Representatives primary for Mushin Constituency I, Agege Constituency II, and Ojokoro, alleging that the mandate of aspirants in the constituencies was stolen and handed to “a non-winner”.
Speaking during the weekly meeting of market leaders and stakeholders at the Iyaloja-General’s office in Alausa, Ikeja, she condemned what she described as political shenanigans and warned against attempts to subvert the will of party members.
She also decried the alleged marginalisation of traders by political office holders despite their contributions to the growth and electoral success of the APC in Lagos State.
The Iyaloja General cited the cases of Mutiu Olaide Oladeebo in Agege Constituency II, Seye Oladejo in Mushin Federal Constituency, and Olotu Emmanuel Ojo in Ojokoro, insisting that the aspirants won their respective primaries convincingly before moves were allegedly made to alter the outcomes.
She said: “We have to cry out now; let the APC cancel Justice and Mandate Forums because our governorship candidate belongs to the Justice Forum.” Everybody is now joking at the Justice Forum because that is where our incoming governor belongs. Are we not Lagosians? When he becomes the governor, he will not be the governor for the APC alone; he has to balance it. Even when you are the governor, you have to lead both your friends and foes. It is saddening that when a Mandate Forum aspirant wins, he jumps to Justice Forum; it is saddening. It is a way of telling us that hard work doesn’t pay in politics.
“Something must be done on that because it is important.
We are sure that Seye Oladejo won in Mushin Federal Constituency and Olotu Emmanuel Ojo in Ojokoro won in Ojoroko with a landslide.
“In fact, we decided to calm down and see what they will do about it because we are ready to protest. We know they won the election and their mandate should not be given to somebody else.”
She urged APC leaders at the state and national levels to immediately investigate the disputed primaries and ensure that justice prevailed before final ratification of the results.
She warned that failure to address the grievances could worsen internal tensions within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu-Ojo declared that market women across Lagos remain committed to supporting the governorship ambition of Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat and other APC candidates nationwide, but stressed that traders deserve recognition and political appointments in return for their loyalty and sacrifices.
She also urged President Bola Tinubu to acknowledge traders as critical stakeholders in national development.
Meanwhile, aggrieved APC members and supporters in Mushin have threatened mass protests if the alleged mandate of Oladejo is not restored.
The protesters accused leaders of the Justice Forum bloc of attempting to impose candidates and undermine internal democracy within the party.
“We know who won the election, and the mandate should not be stolen. We are ready to protest if justice is not done,” one of the protesters said.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Wednesday, told political, business and religious leaders that sacrifice ‘must not remain a burden carried only by ordinary citizens’, warning that worsening hardship, insecurity and public frustration are pushing many Nigerians to the edge.
The umbrella Christian body said Eid-el-Kabir should be more than a religious celebration, describing the season as a moment for national reflection and moral responsibility at a time when millions of Nigerians were struggling with rising living costs, fear and uncertainty about the future.
The position was contained in an Eid al-Kabir message signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
CAN said: “The deeper meaning of Eid-el-Kabir becomes even more significant at a moment like this
“Sacrifice must not remain a burden carried only by ordinary citizens. Leadership must also reflect sacrifice through honesty, restraint, compassion, accountability and a visible commitment to the wellbeing of the people.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Wednesday, told political, business and religious leaders that sacrifice ‘must not remain a burden carried only by ordinary citizens’, warning that worsening hardship, insecurity and public frustration are pushing many Nigerians to the edge.
The umbrella Christian body said Eid-el-Kabir should be more than a religious celebration, describing the season as a moment for national reflection and moral responsibility at a time when millions of Nigerians were struggling with rising living costs, fear and uncertainty about the future.
The position was contained in an Eid al-Kabir message signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
CAN said: “The deeper meaning of Eid-el-Kabir becomes even more significant at a moment like this.
The association said the reality facing many Nigerians could no longer be measured only through economic figures or official statements but through the daily struggles playing out in homes and communities across the country.
Families, it said, were struggling to keep food on the table as rising living costs tightened pressure on households. Farmers increasingly feared returning to their lands because of insecurity, while small businesses continued to buckle under economic strain. Many young Nigerians, CAN added, were also looking to the future with growing uncertainty.
Describing the situation as a test of leadership, CAN urged those in positions of authority to rise above indifference, blame-shifting and narrow interests, and instead focus on restoring public confidence and easing the hardship confronting millions of citizens.
“This is a time for leaders across government, politics, business, security institutions and religious organisations to rise above indifference, blame-shifting and narrow interests,” the Christian body said.
CAN also warned that public trust could not be rebuilt through speeches alone.
It said: “Nigerians need hope they can genuinely see and feel, not promises they no longer trust.
“Citizens want leadership that listens, leadership that acts and leadership that is willing to share in the sacrifices ordinary people make every day.”
The association further cautioned Nigerians against allowing economic hardship and frustration to inflame ethnic, religious or regional tensions.
“Hunger does not ask for tribe or religion. Poverty does not discriminate. Insecurity threatens everyone,” CAN said, warning that division would only deepen the country’s wounds at a difficult time.
Archbishop Okoh also called on religious leaders across faiths to continue promoting peace, moderation and reconciliation amid growing anger and frustration in many communities.
He urged privileged Nigerians, corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to remember poor and vulnerable citizens during the Eid-el-Kabir season, including widows, orphans, displaced persons and struggling families.
“The spirit of sacrifice becomes truly meaningful when it helps restore dignity, hope and relief to others,” the association added.
CAN expressed hope that Nigeria could still rise above fear, division and hardship if both leaders and citizens embraced the values of sacrifice, justice, compassion and shared humanity represented by the season.
It also prayed for peace, healing and renewal across the country, wisdom for leaders, protection for vulnerable communities, and renewed hope for young Nigerians seeking a better future.
Popular socio-political activist, Aisha Yesufu, has lost the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial primary election for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
She lost the election to a chieftain of the party, Amanda Pam.
The activist-turned-politician had said her ambition to represent the FCT in the upper legislative chamber was driven by the desire to solve problems in the nation’s capital and give residents a stronger voice in government.
Aisha Yesufu is a staunch supporter of the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
