Nigerians Are Not Defeated, Says FixPolitics In Response To Hardship Protests

Nigerians Are Not Defeated, Says FixPolitics In Response To Hardship Protests

The citizen-led movement #FixPolitics has criticized the Federal Government’s handling of nationwide protests held on Thursday. The group accused the government of being out of touch with the citizens it serves and warned that Nigerians are not to be seen as a conquered people…….. CONTINUE READING 

In a statement titled “August 1, 2024 Citizens Peaceful Protest: Time to Change Course,” #FixPolitics condemned the government’s efforts to undermine the protest and its participants. Executive Director of #FixPolitics Africa, Anthony Ubani, argued that the government’s reaction and inflammatory comments revealed a significant disconnect from the realities faced by the populace.

Ubani criticized the government’s attempts to discredit the genuine grievances of the protesters by labeling them as opposition-driven and seeking to identify imaginary sponsors. He suggested that these actions only strengthened the resolve of the people, who are increasingly concerned about losing their voice in what they see as an oligarchy masquerading as a democracy.

The group also accused the government of orchestrating counter-protests and utilizing traditional and religious leaders to speak out against the demonstrations. They highlighted the imposition of restrictions on the protests in Lagos, including a court order confining the protests to specific locations and the scheduling of an “Oro” festival to coincide with the protests.

#FixPolitics criticized the government’s apocalyptic comparisons to Venezuela and its promise to cut salaries for national representatives as a superficial response to the real issues. They also condemned the use of intimidation tactics, such as threats from thugs, as indicative of the government’s failure to address the nation’s true concerns.

Ubani asserted that peaceful protests are a constitutionally protected right and that the government’s response should have been to engage in national dialogue and commit to tangible reforms. He stressed that the ongoing protests, scheduled from August 1 to August 10, reflect the failure of the government’s patronizing tactics and highlight the need for a genuine dialogue.

The group urged the government to ensure the safety of protesters, prevent criminal elements from disrupting the demonstrations, and create opportunities for meaningful engagement with citizens. They warned against repeating past mistakes and emphasized that the government’s authoritarian approach to dissent is unacceptable in a democracy.

#FixPolitics called on the Tinubu administration to reconsider its stance, acknowledging that the hardship and suffering faced by Nigerians are real and should not be politicized. The group advocated for a more empathetic and responsive approach, urging the government to uphold citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression.

In closing, #FixPolitics highlighted that the best course of action for the government would have been to engage constructively with protesters, address their demands with sincerity, and demonstrate a commitment to reform. They reminded the administration of the importance of allowing citizens to freely express their disagreements and fulfill its role in ensuring their safety during protests.

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