We are currently experiencing some of the most turbulent anti-government protests in Nigeria’s democratic history, ignited by rampant economic hardship, hunger, and a pervasive sense of disillusionment. Whether you support or oppose these protests, the undeniable reality is that Nigerians are boldly voicing their anger against a failing system and are unyielding in their demands for change. By Day 4, the protests had laid bare the deep-seated regional disparities in perceptions of the Nigerian state and the stark economic realities each region faces. Understanding Nigeria’s fault lines is not just essential; it’s a window into the nation’s socio-political dynamics and its unyielding spirit. Here are six ways the #EndBadGovernance Protests have spotlighted the stubbornness of these fault lines and the variances in our political sophistication.
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First, the North-South divide screams from the streets. In the South, the Southeast is eerily silent, refusing to join the fray, while the South-South’s involvement is timid at best. The Southwest, particularly Lagos, sees more robust participation, becoming the protest’s epicentre. In stark contrast, the North is engulfed in turmoil, with protests marked by fervent and unprintable demands. Blood flows more freely in the North, a region ravaged by poverty, hunger, and a staggering number of out-of-school children. The North’s economic desperation drives its more intense protests, reflecting its position as home to the poorest states, the lowest GDP per capita, and the highest rates of infant and maternal mortality.
Second, the Lagos-Abuja divide reveals two different urban battles. Lagos protests sporadically, despite the political elite’s efforts to stifle them and shield Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reputation. The withdrawal of Igbos from Lagos protests weakens their impact, highlighting ethnic fractures. Meanwhile, Abuja’s diplomatic community and enlightened civil society resist ethnic bias, though police brutality curtails public disruption. These cosmopolitan cities show that no single ethnic group can dominate the narrative or hold the urban centres hostage.
“Understanding Nigeria’s fault lines is not just essential; it’s a window into the nation’s socio-political dynamics and its unyielding spirit.”
Third, the Southeast’s conspicuous absence from the protests is a silent yet powerful statement. This region’s non-participation reflects a deeper alienation from the Nigerian state. By framing the protests as a Yoruba versus Hausa-Fulani struggle, Igbo leaders and followers detach themselves, seeing little stake in a system they feel marginalises them. The imprisonment of Nnamdi Kanu, ongoing political exclusion, and a sense of being perennial scapegoats fuel this disengagement.
Fourth, the chasm between government apologists and the ordinary Nigerian citizen is vast and unbridgeable. While government defenders call for patience, claiming the administration needs more time, the public decries a year of unfulfilled promises. Nigerians argue that a year is enough to see signs of progress, but instead, they witness worsening conditions and no clear roadmap for improvement. The populace, once resilient under extreme hardship, now demands accountability, rejecting simplistic excuses and ineffective “stomach infrastructure” tactics.
Fifth, the protests expose the fraught relationship between the Nigerian police and the people. Despite occasional commendable actions, the police are overwhelmingly perceived negatively. Their heavy-handed, brute-force approach to managing the protests has only escalated tensions. Amnesty International’s concerns highlight the need for a complete overhaul of the police’s crisis management strategies.
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Lastly, the discord among the Nigerian elite is deafening. The absence of a unified vision for the country is stark. Benefiting from the current system, many elites resist change, while those advocating reform are too few and too faint to effect meaningful transformation. This lack of shared values and visions among the elite deepens Nigeria’s divisions.
The #EndBadGovernance Protests demand a critical reevaluation. The entire government structure—from federal to local—requires an overhaul. Policies and systems must align with the people’s aspirations for a functional governance system. While the government pleads for more time, the public’s patience is wearing thin. The perception of governmental indifference to the masses’ plight is a dangerous catalyst for more extreme reactions. This seemingly benign protest could be the precursor to a larger revolution if the administration does not change course. Blood has already been spilt; it must count for something transformative.
