In a powerful and evocative scene, an elderly woman carrying an empty pot captured the heart of the #EndBadGovernance protesters on Kudirat Abiola Way in Ikeja, Lagos.
The protest billed to happen nationwide today took off in Lagos, Niger, Kaduna, Kano and other states with protesters marching against corruption, economic mismanagement, and harsh living conditions.
After the call for protests began to gain ground, the Federal Government, governors and the security establishment moved to dissuade the organisers from going ahead with the protest.
However efforts by the presidency, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and others failed to stop the protest.
The woman’s empty pot, which some protesters described as a stark and haunting symbol of hunger and deprivation, resonated deeply with the protesters.
As she marched amidst the sea of placards and chants, wailing, her silent yet profound message amplified the voices of millions struggling with high inflation, unemployment, and economic instability.
Photos of the woman, tears streaming down her face as she clutched the pot, quickly spread across social media, evoking a wave of empathy and solidarity.
“She says it all without uttering a single word,” commented one user on Twitter. “Her pot is empty, just like the promises of our leaders.”
The image of the pot-bearing woman sparked a wave of reactions across social media.
Road to Rich Aunty (@Ayomiepat_) expressed the need for more widespread participation beyond the youth, highlighting the symbolic power of the woman’s presence: “We need more of her type outside, it’s not the youth’s fight this time around. Like that man said ‘Our demand is on the faces of the hungry Nigerians’. They should all come outside.”
Oluwagbohunmi (@i_am_dagos) echoed this sentiment, recognizing the authenticity of the woman’s protest: “These are the real protesters.”
Rob MD (@drfynrekins) called for leadership accountability in light of the woman’s silent protest: “Nigerians don’t deserve such maltreatment. If a leader is clueless & incompetent, then he has to leave the stage for someone else or rise up and solve problems.”
Favblackboyy (@ademolabamise) highlighted the government’s inability to address the root causes of the crisis: “The sad part of this reality is that Government doesn’t even have a way or should I say plans to solve the ongoing problems in the country. Individual corruption alone. Citizens’ corruption can’t be solved by government. A case study of sellers hoarding goods to create scarcity.”
@iNeed2Invest hoped for greater solidarity among Nigerian mothers: “I wish other mothers will join her too.”
Olalekan I.B Esq. (@Lakerzien) raised concerns about the distribution of aid: “Sad stuff, which state is she from? There is a failure of communication on how genuinely hungry Nigerians can benefit from the 20 trucks of grains distributed by the FG to States? Where are the distribution points in each State?”
WonderYYOUBLACK (@wonder_yyou) summed up the situation poignantly:
“Plight of Nigerians in one picture.”
Paul D’Magician (@PaulDMagician) reflected on the consequences of ignoring societal issues:
“Look at them. Old. Suffering. The evil they failed to confront yesterday is plaguing them now. The evil we fail to confront today will plague us tomorrow.”
Elle (@sweetsixtien) condemned the current administration:
“Elderly Mother BRINGS her EMPTY POT to the protest ground to SHOW she and her children are STARVING under @officialABAT kleptocratic regime. This is why we say #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.”
