JUST HOW DID WE GET HERE?

 

I love Nigeria!! I really do love this country. And I am so sure many of you can relate. There has been instances in the past; elections, censuses, referendums, town hall meetings, etc. And we have just looked at these events and either smile or pass snide remarks like “oh they are about to share the national cake again”. It was different this time. Just all of a sudden, as if we were all tapped awake from a long trance, we became so hopeful for this country.

What started like one of the normal discussions on jack’s app became a national movement. We could all relate to this struggle. Many of us had stories to tell; Stories which were not restricted to only the struggling Nigerian; as it has always been in the past. Some of the so-called elites could relate to it. The talks all centered on one thing, #EndSars, #EndPoliceBrutality.

You could swear something as simple as ending a notorious unit of the police force would not bring this much violence throughout the country. The painful cries and sadness which has enveloped us all these past few days. I mean how hard can it be? Just end these notorious folks, reintegrate the few useful ones, investigate the many cases of brutality and prosecute anyone found guilty.

The youths, forming a bulk of the Nigerian population. Say about 65%, were at the forefront of this agitation. We all agreed and spoke loudly with one voice. Enough is enough! And we just wanted the general we erroneously sworn it to be accountable for once. We wanted the ones we voted for to do what is right. Just how hard can that be?

We are the “phone pressing generation” but from our phones we kicked awake the consciousness in the mind of every Nigerian. Only a fool would deny that it was as usual these past weeks. The normal ploy of using ethnicity, religion, class and any other means of stratification could not divide us. We were unwavering in our quest. Just accede to these five demands and we would go home. It was as simple as that.

These ones that have become out of touch with the reality of the average Nigerian condemned us to staying at home for so long in the first place. ASUU has been on strike for months now and the strike action still continues as I am writing this. So we had time on our hands and now more than ever, would be the best time to demand some action from these people. It was as if an unseen force was behind this push, the country has not witnessed this kind of devotion to a singular purpose in a long time.

The Nigerian state paid us no attention earlier, they thought well “big brother” just ended and they must have time on their hands. Most of the already complicit local media continued with their regular jamboree of seeking to misinform people, but we pressed on. Provisions were made for whatever you could think of; anything to sustain the protests. Food, drinks, first aid, legal services, and even at some point private security services.

We made considerable progress as this wasn’t like any that have been seen before. No one was allowed to take credit for the one voice we were speaking with. It was decentralized; you could not point to anyone as the financier for this new movement in town. Everyone chipped in; Our demands were unifying at best, if the government accedes to them, every youth in this country would reap its fruits; no region left behind.

No one had anything on us, as we forged for days and highlighted the many failures of leadership we have had to endure since we started this so called democracy. We have allowed this laxity to go on for such a long time, and our leaders see themselves as gods now. Public servant what? Yall have made the mistake of voting me in; so would you bow to me, you commoner!! We forged on, ready to damn all consequences. We are the generation who would not tolerate any further nonsense and this was the road we would die on.

The international community was talking to us, even if we were not a priority. Our voices were too loud to ignore and they had no choice. The international media alike, was doing what the so-called biggest network in Africa could not do. What the one owned by Raymond could not do. Real progress I tell you! At this point, these ones we voted for became so jittery, the desperation was so obvious; how were they going to address a movement of this magnitude?

Well, the steps they took was calculative at best. It was not coincidence that violence erupted in strategic states all through the week. The wanton destruction of lives and properties, all in bid to discredit protests which has been peaceful all week. Videos of thugs alighting from government vehicles were seen all around. One would wonder if it was more than just ending a dreaded police unit, which had served its term.

These folks rarely make anything happen for anybody. All we were asking, was for security agencies to stop shooting and killing indiscriminately. Just End the this brutality. We really underrated our government; there is really no end to the brutality these folks can mete out to keep lots subdued.

On the 20^th of October, just three (3) days ago the unthinkable happened. I briefly thought of this, but I brushed it off; as this should not be possible in a democracy. I knew there were indications we were living in a regulated democracy but I never thought it would get to this extent. in calculated moves this day, the government removed all evidences and shot at peaceful protesters at the Lekki toll gate. This was the height of it all. what did we do to deserve this?

I teared up looking at these videos and wondering if it was an offense to hold peaceful protests in a recognized democracy. Our woes do not matter to these folks; no hint of impactful governance at all. Just share money express shock, send condolences and vibes all the way. The general we wrongly elected would later address the nation 48 hours later, in one of the most annoying speech I have ever heard from an head of state. This was even after a senate resolution had to be passed.

Such a comical setting. He Addressed the nation in just 12 minutes, threatened, ordered us to go back into our homes and reminded us we would be facing the same treatment if we dare to protest for our rights again. Lest I forget, he also warned the international community to mind their business as he is not a weak leader. No matter the extent of oppression, something has changed in every Nigerian. Not as if we were expecting the seed we planted to bring forth fruits in just 2 weeks right.

These seeds have been watered and the labors of our real heroes that night in Lagos will never be in vain. My favorite human never fails to remind me that we would survive this; we are all we have got. Now is the time to backpedal and strategize. This is not the time to sulk. Now it is time for the counter attack. But how do we do this?

This is a force that is not ending anytime soon. The new Nigeria is here already and they can only try. We have been onlookers in the past. This is the time to stop that, most of the oppression from those we trusted to protect us have gone unabated because we have decided not to pay attention to that which is going on around us. It is time to be your brother’s keeper in the best way possible.

Nothing scares an oppressive government other than an enlightened citizenry. Enough of the religious plays, God would not come down from heaven to judge anyone. He already gave us the brains to make rational decisions; and now is the best time to start making them.

The new Nigeria is here, and nothing would stop us from achieving the country of our dreams. No one has the monopoly of violence, but matching violence with violence would only endanger our nation. Although i will not dismiss the helplessness i have felt these past few days. Now is the time to sit down and read books, learn our true history, plan ahead so we can hit them where they do not expect.

See that man in the street, the woman under the shed roasting corn, enlighten them and tell them the downsides of jumping at the paltry sums these folks over when the time for elections come. We have all seen the dangers of electing terrible leaders and now is not the time to rest. it has just begun. The Massive mobilization and sensitization of the populace. We cannot rest now, we cannot fly to Canada now, we have to make this country work and so shall it be.

P.s Sign me up on any opportunities to Canada though, I just want to go and study I promise.