Why the FearlessinOctober Protest Didn’t Succeed by Kenechukwu Aguolu
Protests are a way for citizens to draw government attention to pressing issues, but the recent #FearlessInOctober protest faced challenges. Many demands made by the organizers have already been addressed or are not beneficial for the country. Additionally, peaceful protests in Nigeria often turn violent, disrupting economic activities and causing loss of life, as seen in the #EndBadGovernance protest. Given this context, the recent protest seemed unnecessary.
The federal government has begun implementing the new national minimum wage, and it’s crucial for state governments and private sector employers to follow suit. This wage increase is vital for the economy, as it can boost productivity, reduce brain drain, and increase demand for goods and services. Many businesses in Nigeria are struggling, facing low sales due to the low disposable income of workers.
The National Bureau of Statistics reports that Nigeria’s inflation rate has decreased for two consecutive months, falling from 34.19% in July to 32.15% in August 2024. While this is a positive development, the government has also raised the Monetary Policy Rate by 50 basis points to 27.25%, a move anticipated alongside the minimum wage implementation.
In efforts to combat banditry and terrorism in the northwest, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed military leaders to relocate to Sokoto State, yielding promising results. The government has deployed 10,000 agro rangers to protect farmers across 19 states and established a monitoring team to tackle oil theft in the South-South region. Overall, while insecurity levels have decreased, more work remains.
Calls to reverse the removal of the fuel subsidy are counterproductive. The government aims to implement effective changes, and while transportation costs have risen, it has started distributing CNG buses and conversion kits as more affordable alternatives. The price of petrol is expected to decrease once domestic refineries operate at full capacity, benefiting from increased competition and a stronger naira.
Although the government has pledged to reduce costs, the recent acquisition of a new presidential jet has raised concerns about this commitment. However, the administration argues that a reliable aircraft is more cost-effective than renting and maintaining older planes. President Tinubu has also cut the size of Nigeria’s delegation to the recent United Nations General Assembly to demonstrate his administration’s focus on reducing government expenses.
While peaceful protests are a valid expression of dissent, the #FearlessInOctober protest was largely redundant, as many of its demands have already been addressed. It’s also important to note that some individuals arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protest have been released. Protest is not the only or most effective way to makevoices heard.
