Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The 10-day #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria and hunger protest came to an end last Saturday, but the protesters’ demands remain unmet as the government stands firm on its decision to remove subsidy on petrol.
The protest, which began on August 1, 2024, was sparked by the economic hardship, food inflation, and hunger across the country, caused by the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29th, 2023 which saw the geometric increase in fuel pump price from N170 to the current N850 per litre.
The protesters had demanded that the government reinstate fuel subsidies, but President Tinubu has insisted that the policy is necessary for the sustainability of the economy.
On a positive gain, the #EndBadGovenance protest compelled President Bola Tinubu to address the nation, although the broadcast was a complete deviation from the issues.
The shutting down of the National Assembly during the protest period was also a win for the protesters, as it demonstrated the power of a united people against unfavorable government policies.
However, the protest also resulted in significant negative losses, according to Amnesty International, 22 persons died during the protest, leaving a vacuum of pain for their families.
The destruction of public properties and the estimated daily loss of N400 billion to the economy are also notable losses, while the protest’s inability to force the government to reinstate fuel subsidies was a significant loss for citizens, who continue to bear the brunt of economic hardship and hunger.
Speaking on the protest, an energy expert, Dr. Joseph Obele, said the protest may be over, but the hunger was not yet over, urging the government to take action to alleviate hardship and address the issues that led to the protest.
Obel who is also a lecturer at the Department of Marketing, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, explained that the recent economic hardship and hunger in Nigeria were triggered by the removal of fuel subsidies by the President.
He noted that the government’s refusal to reinstate fuel subsidies was a win, as it would have been unsustainable for the economy, warning that returning to a subsidy regime would mean zero allocation for federal and state governments.
He said, “The recent economic hardship and hunger in Nigeria were triggered by the removal of fuel subsidies by Mr. President. That single action has brought about the worrisome inflation and outrageous cost of commodities in the market.
“Returning to subsidy regime will mean zero allocation for federal and state governments. Imagine buying fuel for N1200 per litre from the international market and selling it for the old rate of N170 per litre as it was before the administration of President Tinubu.
“The protest was a win-win for the government and the protesters. On the contrary, the protest also ended as loose-loose for the government and protesters.
“The handling of foreign flags in some parts of the nation during the hunger protest and the call for military takeover was a strategic win as it makes the protesters unpredictable which is a signal of threat to the government,” Obele added.
However, the former Chairman of IPMAN in Rivers State, also criticized the government’s refusal to listen to the protesters’ demands.
Obele said the protest highlighted the need for strategic thinking to address the economic hardship in Nigeria, and emphasized that the time for the government to focus on strategic thinking is now, as delay can be dangerous.
“We will recommend that the government should compensate business owners that recorded huge losses during the ten days of protest for them to remain in business.
“Obviously, the ten days protest will hasten the delayed commencement of production at Nigeria Refineries, therefore the protest was a wake-up call to the government which invariably a big win for the protesters and the people of Nigeria,” Obele said.
As the country moves forward, it remains to be seen how the government will address the lingering issues of hunger and economic hardship.
