Planned Protests: Before You Join In, (Nigeria Beats)

 

Many folks won't like this. But it's the bitter truth which bears saying.

The nation's economy is indeed comatose. It has passed being in ICU but is currently on life support despite the high falluting statistics reeled out to portray economic  rebound, it is incongruent when shopping for basic food items at markets.  Everybody is complaining.
Well, minus politicians. St least it's on record that  all the state governors got billion naira funding to ameliorate the ongoing food crisis in December 2023. With the exception of Borno's  Gov. Zulum who kept distributing food to LGs around his state with physical supervision of the distribution himself, all other states pocketed the money.
So, yes, many of our office holders deserve heckling. And loudly too..

But, the last time "faceless groups" or "anonymous coalition" organised a demonstration, it was called #endsars. We know how that played out, from internal implosion over money issues among the purported "faceless coalition" to the waste of innocent youth, with many still languishing in secret police  jails till date.

Result? #sars simply metamorphosed, it got a rechristening with a new name, with the same vision.  Pyrhhic victory.  Emotional scars. PTSD for protesters  at that rally.

Worst, government deny the Lekki mass@cre till date. To government, that never happened.  So...
Lest we make the same mistake, organisers of the proyests, please follow due process according to global best practices.

Firstly, reveal your identity, and your group and affiliates. This is the global acceptable standard. No government would allow "faceless" groups to organised mass protests under its watch. "Faceless" means anything is possible under that cover of anonymity.

Second, follow the three Cs - Communication, Consultation and Confirmation - before rolling out our youth hollering platitudes with placards aloft in rain or shine.
The protests is hurling along to Conflict, the fourth separate C without the first three Cs.

This is why the protests is adjudged to haye sinister  motives because it did not toe the first three step, all shaped by dialogue with government.

That's the second goof, a worrisome development to any  dispassionate observer.

And because the protest -yes, touted as peaceful and held by civilians - could turn violent any time which in turn, could force government's hand to use force to quell the protests. No one would be able to press charges successfully in any human rights court because the protests itself did not follow due process. At most, maybe an apology is got. It could possibly bring closure but can that raise the de@d?

This is not an attempt to dissuade protests or gag dissenting voices. But, do it the right way. Use cold  sober sense, not hot headed impetuosity.

No one wants to end up becoming an avoidable unfortunate statistic. Count the cost guys.