Tonye Barcanista
A protest that started as EndBadGovernance has transmuted into blackmailing the North by some suspected sponsored elements of the government and closet bigots. They alleged that protests only happen in the North when a Southerner is in office, citing the cases of the protests against Goodluck Jonathan’s administration (2010-2015) and now incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration (2023 till date).
These claims are misrepresentation of facts and recent history. For the record, there was protest against President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) across the country at several times when he partially removed fuel subsidy that caused increment of the pump price of fuel.
Although there was no major protest against President Umaru Musa Yar’adua (2007-May 2010), the Boko Haram issue first reared its ugly head in Maiduguri, Borno state in July 2009 during the active period of his presidency. He swiftly crushed it! It is therefore untrue that the “North” created Boko Haram insurgency to undermine Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, a southerner.
When President Goodluck Jonathan (May 2010-2015) assumed office in substantive capacity after the demise of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, Nigeria did not experience any protest until January 2012 when Jonathan announced the removal of fuel subsidy in his New Year’s broadcast against the advice of relevant stakeholders, including Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Bar Association and Nigeria Medical Association.
Contrary to misrepresented narrative, the protests were held across the country, including Lagos, Oyo (Ibadan), Edo (Benin), Kwara (Ilorin) and Kano states among others. The 2012 Subsidy removal protests had the support of legendary literary icons, Ms Chimamanda Adichie and Late Chinua Achebe. During these protests, twelve persons were killed, including seven in Kano, three in Benin, and two in Lagos, and many were injured by the Police.
Furthermore, Boko Haram issue only resurfaced in September 2010 after they were crushed in July 2009, and the mismanagement of the situation emboldened them to cause more havoc. The kidnap of Chibok school girls of Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents was the next mass protest against Jonathan.
Contrary to several claims, there were series of protests in the North against President Muhammadu Buhari (2015-2023). There were several protests against Buhari administration between 2020 and 2023 in the North against hardship, killing and insecurity. In June 2020, some Northerners staged a protest in Katsina to demand his resignation. In December 2021, similar protests against Buhari were held in the North. In January 2023, Buhari and his entourage were stoned in the North.
Has people forgotten so soon? Have people forgotten the #NorthIsBleeding campaign?
When President Bola Tinubu (May 2023-date) removed fuel subsidy, did anyone protest? Many gave the government the benefit of doubt though some of us never trusted the administration. Under six months, prices of commodities x10, inflation rate skyrocketed and it has become difficult for a poor man to survive. The untold hardship turned into famine, Nigerians decided to protest.
Why then are hirelings of the government blackmailing the North? Are northerners not Nigerians? Are they the only ones suffering? Are people in the South living in plenty or comfort? Don’t Nigerians have the right to express their displeasure and discontent irrespective of ethnicity? May God forgive those that are tribalising Nigeria’s challenges. Stop blackmailing the North! Tinubu has failed!
