In the wake of the August 1 nationwide hardship protests, which has lingered on in some parts of the country, Nigerians have been weighing the contributions of some prominent opposition figures to the protests and say, in retrospect, that these politicians have been conspicuously missing in action.
Nigerians have also argued that the opposition politicians, who found it fitting to make public statements that either endorsed or supported the protests, should have been at the forefront of the protests themselves, instead of choosing to remain on the sidelines and urging ordinary citizens on.
Although some of the opposition figures were accused of politicising the protests, they have however maintained that it is the people’s welfare that is paramount to them and also galvanised them into action, thereby making them speak up against the policies of the government of the day.
Nigeria’s President is Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and his fiercest political rivals from the opposition are Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
Apart from Atiku and Obi, there is also Kano State politician, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party and human rights activist-turned-politician, Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress.
Together, the four men, prior to the February 25, 2023 presidential election, ensured that Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State, had a bumpy ride to the presidency.
Now, this is where the story gets interesting. Tinubu is almost 15 months into his presidency but to date, all is not so rosy for Nigerians.
The people have been enduring unprecedented hardship after Tinubu, during his inauguration as President on May 29, 2023, removed petroleum subsidies and later on floated the country’s currency, the naira.
Since those policies were implemented, Nigerians have been in a state of extreme agitation and continue to cite inflation and the high cost of living as the most important financial problems facing them.
Therefore, when the call for the hardship protest began to resonate throughout the country, three among the opposition figures, Atiku, Obi and Sowore, quickly aligned themselves with protesters, urging Nigerians to go out and demonstrate against the harsh economic policies, as it was their right to do so.
Kwankwaso, the odd one out, took a pacifist approach. The former Kano State Governor, urged Nigerians to remember that protests, while a fundamental democratic right, often come with “unforeseen and dire consequences.”
Furthermore, he said of the people’s “strong” desire to protest, “I share your concerns and your desire for change. However, I urge you to consider the consequences of national protests and to channel your energy into a more effective and peaceful means of transformation – through the power of your ballot.”
Kwankwaso said if any government failed to provide the necessary leadership for a better Nigeria, the people would have the opportunity as citizens to elect the people who could bring the required change using their votes.
Despite his pleas and attempt to reason with Nigerians, Kwankwaso was accused of chickening out of the protests.
Kwankwaso was reminded that when the election petition tribunal sacked the current Kano State Governor and his political godson, Abba Yusuf, the members of Kwankwasiyya, as his supporters are called, did not wait to use the power of ballot in 2027, rather they appealed and protested relentlessly in the state.
In his own message, Atiku, on July 23 said on X that the rights of citizens to protest are enshrined in the constitution and affirmed by the courts.
The former Vice President said that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as altered) unequivocally guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.
Atiku also blasted the government “for chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests.”
He called this “an exercise in futility” and noted it was obvious all Nigerians were “hungry, angry and hopeless.”
Atiku then said, “A responsible government must ensure a safe and secure environment for citizens to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest.”
Like Atiku, Obi also gave his support to the protest. The former Anambra State Governor only last week said, “Nigeria must embrace all tenets of democracy, including the right to protest, without selective adherence.”
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had previously accused Obi of instigating the protests. Onanuga said Obi was a “protest sponsor” and should be held responsible for whatever crisis that emanates from the action.
Although Obi filed an N5bn lawsuit against Onanuga over what he (Obi) called defamatory statements by the media aide, he was in his home state, Anambra, for most part of the protests.
And while he was there, he debunked a video purportedly showing him leading a protest in Abuja.
Obi revealed it was made during his visit to the Labour Party headquarters, where he mediated a clash between the party and the Nigeria Labour Congress.
AAC stalwart, Sowore, is currently in the United States with his family.
He is one of the protest organisers and Convener of Revolution Now Movement.
Sowore, who boasts that he participated in multiple protests in the past, has repeatedly said that he can be anywhere in the world and lead the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria.
A Lagos-based political analyst and lawyer, Clement Iloh, told The Point that it was disturbing that opposition figures did not physically join the protests.
Iloh said their participation would have cemented their legacies as politicians who sided with Nigerians.
He also said their nonparticipation in the protests was proof that the opposition was not united and would be beaten by the APC in 2027.
“It would have really inspired Nigerians if they had seen Atiku and Obi marching together and holding hands in solidarity on the streets of Abuja and Lagos”
“It is truly remarkable how all the leading opposition figures refused to join the protests. It is disturbing and says a lot about them.
“And do you know what it says about them? The opposition is not united in Nigeria and this should be a cause for sober reflection that the APC will beat them all in 2027.
“It would have really inspired Nigerians if they had seen Atiku and Obi marching together and holding hands in solidarity on the streets of Abuja and Lagos.
“But they have decided not to stay in the trenches. Their contribution to the protests didn’t go beyond the posts they made on social media.
“Some years back, Tinubu and Buhari had protested when they were in the opposition. I vividly remember that tear gas was fired at Buhari, but still, the man was unwavering. That was one of the reasons why he could endear himself to Nigerians.
“I think Obi and Atiku should have called the government’s bluff and participated in the August 1 protests.
“A day’s participation would have been more than enough and cemented their legacies as politicians who sided with the masses,” he said.
Another analyst, Benedict Njoku, in his own assessment said, “I like Atiku and Obi. I even think that Obi will make a fine president, but their not physically joining the protests smirks of cowardice.
“I can excuse Atiku and Sowore from the protests though. Atiku is advanced in age. And as for Sowore, he just got out of prison not too long ago and I am sure he would have been under pressure from his family to stay away from Nigeria.
“It is Obi the people were hoping would join them. He still has some vitality in him and would have encouraged many protesters.
“Some may say that Obi is in the South East where protests did not take place. But even that should not have stopped him from coming out to speak up for hungry Nigerians. How can people not join the peaceful protests that they preached about?
“Then again, what happened between Obi and Bayo Onanuga could have been responsible for his no- show during the protests.
“But let me remind you that a former spokesperson for the Labour Party, Kenneth Okonkwo, said that Obi was too easy-going and would find it difficult acting as President.
“So, who knows? Obi might have evaluated the back-and-forth between him and Onanuga and decided to steer clear of the protests.”
