I knew that the Protest would fail right from the moment I heard of it. My sentiments were based on the following points:
The Personality of Sowore
If any protest is to be taken seriously, I don't know in some other climes, but, here, in Nigeria, the person leading the Protest matters a lot! Sowore was the Least qualified for the Job. The Fact that he was one of the candidates that contested the just concluded Presidential elections disqualifies him as any noise he makes from the conclusion of the elections and like a year or two from now could be easily dismissed as mere ranting over his loss in the Presidential elections. It was a big blunder on his part to have conceived the idea of leading the protest.
Calling the Protest a Revolution
The last thing that anybody all over the world, especially, those in government would like to hear is the word 'Revolution'. Sowore should have known better. The tagged name is a bad market...'Revolution Now', Haba! Subhanallah!!!
How do you expect the DSS to fold its arm and watch you set the country ablaze, oga? E no dey work like that. There's a BIG difference between a protest and a revolution. Whether you are armed or not initially, it doesn't matter, that was how most of the protests turned war in the Arab world started. They came unarmed but they encroached and actually trespassed beyond the lines drawn for them by security personnel, the security officers reacted to the disobedience, they felt provoked and angry, then violent, the Police tries to disperse them with tear gas, they refused to bulge, instead, they felt more provoked and started talking hard, before you know it, someone...someone from among the protesters threw the first 'stone', the officers retaliated and that's it...it goes out of control. This is why I hate protests...THEY ARE NEVER PEACEFUL!
They may start peacefully, but, when the numbers swell...most times, more than expected by the organizers, they loose control, but, they can't admit it. Criminal elements join the protest and gradually increase the tempo...with time they take charge from the original organizers and turn peaceful protesters into a mob! This is the case most of the time!
Some claim the DSS hid under the guise of the coined name of the Protest to arrest Sowore. I'm stating it categorically that they don't have to hide, revolution means forceful take over of government which is a far cry from the meaning and purpose of a peaceful protest whose main aim is the presentation of grievances and making of demands. Please, let us be guided. I would accuse the security agents of negligence if the protest was allowed to go on with that name tag without making arrests!
The Timing was Awful!
The Arab Spring is still fresh in our memories and the Ugly stories that followed it are still trending. Let alone the fact that the current administration is battling seriously with numerous security challenges that are capable of compromising our sovereignty. It's a miracle that we still manage to keep it together. The Boko Haram is still there...then came, suddenly, the issue of killer herdsmen, then came the issue of cattle rustling/banditry and then kidnappers' activities made the whole thing so scary and almost unbearable. Now, tell me, with the kind of picture I've painted above, is it right to stage a protest of that magnitude at these very trying times?
It's like being provoked to a level that's very close to one's limits by one's parents and wife and one is trying so very hard not to burst out in anger, then, your first child, a teenager, comes around to accuse you of being such a 'bad dad' for not paying his school fees on time, what would you do abeg???
Such protests as this, whereby the demands of the Protesters are not pressing needs that require urgent interventions like the Minimum wage implementation (they are the same old stories we already know and still struggling very hard to manage) ordinarily would fail...it's not rocket science...it's a matter of common sense!
The Demands are a 'Wish-Wash'!
As stated earlier, I, personally, hate protests for their uselessness. Instead of coming out en mass to carry placards, I prefer calling people to resolve the problems our own way. When I read some of the demands they were coming out to protest about, I was disappointed!
I mean, how can a youth like Sowore come out to shout shamelessly in public (in this JET AGE) about poor governance when he's supposed to be on the vanguard inspiring and helping the youths to connect and improve the general standard of living of Nigerians? He's exposed, he's well traveled, on top of that, he's a youth. It was quite disappointing that he came all out to prove IBB right when he said that the youths are not ready to take charge. Now, with the shameful and embarrassing conduct of Sowore, are we truly ready to take charge of the country?
Even me wey never commot from Nigeria before sabi say for this JET AGE and IT world, information and networking are key to rapid economic growth and development! A dedicated social website can be created online where we can meet to share our experience, expertise and vital information about what is currently on ground and how we can upgrade the living standard of the ordinary Nigeria to a much better one. With Social media and networking sites, we can create a gigantic and effective synergy to fund and run corporations that will effect the kind of changes we desire in Nigeria! Kai, nawa o!!!
Protest was Against the Wrong Party
Honestly, if you ask me, the Federal Government is doing EXCELLENTLY WELL as it stands today! It's the State and Local Governments that are not doing that much. This is why I think the Protest was directed towards the wrong party!
Nigeria's government, for the sake of efficiency was sub-divided into 3 namely, the Federal, State and Local governments. The Protest would have made a lot of sense if they were directed towards the state and local governments. These governments go to the FCT on monthly basis to collect allocations that are running into billions. Have you ever taken your time to check on what these billions are used for. This is apart from the internal generated revenues of the states and VAT revenues. What have they been doing with these monies? Nobody is asking!
The Funny thing is that these other 2 tiers of governments are expected to provide virtually the same sets of services that's expected of the Federal Government. I stand to be corrected, most of the security challenges and economic woes of this country are caused PRIMARILY by the inaction and irresponsible disposition of the state and local governments. Well...this is a topic for another day. The point I'm trying to make here is that the FG is not the right government to face...it's actually the State and Local governments who are far, far closer to us than the FG. If Sowore had faced the State governments that are yet to grant the LG's full autonomy as demanded by the FG, it would have been a great success!
At this juncture, I must, commend, the invaluable sacrifices of our Armed forces, the deliberate and unflinching resolve of the current administration never to give up and to fight to the end to ensure that the security of lives, properties and SANITY of the country is guaranteed. Thank you, for being there, REAL Nigerians are grateful and history would NEVER forget these your uncommon patriotic activities to keep the flag flying.
God Bless you,
God Bless Nigeria!!!
The Personality of Sowore
If any protest is to be taken seriously, I don't know in some other climes, but, here, in Nigeria, the person leading the Protest matters a lot! Sowore was the Least qualified for the Job. The Fact that he was one of the candidates that contested the just concluded Presidential elections disqualifies him as any noise he makes from the conclusion of the elections and like a year or two from now could be easily dismissed as mere ranting over his loss in the Presidential elections. It was a big blunder on his part to have conceived the idea of leading the protest.
Calling the Protest a Revolution
The last thing that anybody all over the world, especially, those in government would like to hear is the word 'Revolution'. Sowore should have known better. The tagged name is a bad market...'Revolution Now', Haba! Subhanallah!!!
How do you expect the DSS to fold its arm and watch you set the country ablaze, oga? E no dey work like that. There's a BIG difference between a protest and a revolution. Whether you are armed or not initially, it doesn't matter, that was how most of the protests turned war in the Arab world started. They came unarmed but they encroached and actually trespassed beyond the lines drawn for them by security personnel, the security officers reacted to the disobedience, they felt provoked and angry, then violent, the Police tries to disperse them with tear gas, they refused to bulge, instead, they felt more provoked and started talking hard, before you know it, someone...someone from among the protesters threw the first 'stone', the officers retaliated and that's it...it goes out of control. This is why I hate protests...THEY ARE NEVER PEACEFUL!
They may start peacefully, but, when the numbers swell...most times, more than expected by the organizers, they loose control, but, they can't admit it. Criminal elements join the protest and gradually increase the tempo...with time they take charge from the original organizers and turn peaceful protesters into a mob! This is the case most of the time!
Some claim the DSS hid under the guise of the coined name of the Protest to arrest Sowore. I'm stating it categorically that they don't have to hide, revolution means forceful take over of government which is a far cry from the meaning and purpose of a peaceful protest whose main aim is the presentation of grievances and making of demands. Please, let us be guided. I would accuse the security agents of negligence if the protest was allowed to go on with that name tag without making arrests!
The Timing was Awful!
The Arab Spring is still fresh in our memories and the Ugly stories that followed it are still trending. Let alone the fact that the current administration is battling seriously with numerous security challenges that are capable of compromising our sovereignty. It's a miracle that we still manage to keep it together. The Boko Haram is still there...then came, suddenly, the issue of killer herdsmen, then came the issue of cattle rustling/banditry and then kidnappers' activities made the whole thing so scary and almost unbearable. Now, tell me, with the kind of picture I've painted above, is it right to stage a protest of that magnitude at these very trying times?
It's like being provoked to a level that's very close to one's limits by one's parents and wife and one is trying so very hard not to burst out in anger, then, your first child, a teenager, comes around to accuse you of being such a 'bad dad' for not paying his school fees on time, what would you do abeg???
Such protests as this, whereby the demands of the Protesters are not pressing needs that require urgent interventions like the Minimum wage implementation (they are the same old stories we already know and still struggling very hard to manage) ordinarily would fail...it's not rocket science...it's a matter of common sense!
The Demands are a 'Wish-Wash'!
As stated earlier, I, personally, hate protests for their uselessness. Instead of coming out en mass to carry placards, I prefer calling people to resolve the problems our own way. When I read some of the demands they were coming out to protest about, I was disappointed!
I mean, how can a youth like Sowore come out to shout shamelessly in public (in this JET AGE) about poor governance when he's supposed to be on the vanguard inspiring and helping the youths to connect and improve the general standard of living of Nigerians? He's exposed, he's well traveled, on top of that, he's a youth. It was quite disappointing that he came all out to prove IBB right when he said that the youths are not ready to take charge. Now, with the shameful and embarrassing conduct of Sowore, are we truly ready to take charge of the country?
Even me wey never commot from Nigeria before sabi say for this JET AGE and IT world, information and networking are key to rapid economic growth and development! A dedicated social website can be created online where we can meet to share our experience, expertise and vital information about what is currently on ground and how we can upgrade the living standard of the ordinary Nigeria to a much better one. With Social media and networking sites, we can create a gigantic and effective synergy to fund and run corporations that will effect the kind of changes we desire in Nigeria! Kai, nawa o!!!
Protest was Against the Wrong Party
Honestly, if you ask me, the Federal Government is doing EXCELLENTLY WELL as it stands today! It's the State and Local Governments that are not doing that much. This is why I think the Protest was directed towards the wrong party!
Nigeria's government, for the sake of efficiency was sub-divided into 3 namely, the Federal, State and Local governments. The Protest would have made a lot of sense if they were directed towards the state and local governments. These governments go to the FCT on monthly basis to collect allocations that are running into billions. Have you ever taken your time to check on what these billions are used for. This is apart from the internal generated revenues of the states and VAT revenues. What have they been doing with these monies? Nobody is asking!
The Funny thing is that these other 2 tiers of governments are expected to provide virtually the same sets of services that's expected of the Federal Government. I stand to be corrected, most of the security challenges and economic woes of this country are caused PRIMARILY by the inaction and irresponsible disposition of the state and local governments. Well...this is a topic for another day. The point I'm trying to make here is that the FG is not the right government to face...it's actually the State and Local governments who are far, far closer to us than the FG. If Sowore had faced the State governments that are yet to grant the LG's full autonomy as demanded by the FG, it would have been a great success!
At this juncture, I must, commend, the invaluable sacrifices of our Armed forces, the deliberate and unflinching resolve of the current administration never to give up and to fight to the end to ensure that the security of lives, properties and SANITY of the country is guaranteed. Thank you, for being there, REAL Nigerians are grateful and history would NEVER forget these your uncommon patriotic activities to keep the flag flying.
God Bless you,
God Bless Nigeria!!!
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