Uchechukwu Okoroafor,Abuja
In recent weeks, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in public protests, particularly led by women, highlighting the severe economic challenges faced by its citizens.
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The escalating cost of living, especially the surge in the price of essential commodities, has triggered demonstrations in cities such as Kano, Minna, and Suleja. It is therefore important to shed light on the economic hardship plaguing Nigeria, as articulated by the voices of women engaged in small-scale businesses, and to call for urgent measures to alleviate the suffering of the people.
The ancient city of Kano recently witnessed a poignant display of frustration as women, many of whom are local bread producers known as “Gurasa,” took to the streets to protest the exorbitant cost of living. The leader of the protest, Hajiya Fatima Auwal, emphasized the impact of rising flour prices on their small-scale businesses, predominantly run by women.
She lamented the dire situation, highlighting the inability to provide for their families, the closure of businesses due to capital losses, and the alarming increase in the cost of flour, a key ingredient in their production. Auwal’s call for attention underscores the urgent need for intervention, as the Gurasa producers face a stark choice between closing down their businesses and further exacerbating the already dire circumstances for the vulnerable population that depends on their affordable products.
The economic distress is pushing these women, many of whom are widows, to the brink, and their cry for help must not fall on deaf ears.
The economic turmoil is not limited to Kano; it has spilled over to Niger State, as seen in the protests in Minna and Suleja. The protesters, predominantly women, carried placards pleading with President Bola Tinubu to address the increasing hardship. The blockade of major roads, such as the Minna-Bida Road, which disrupted daily activities, drew attention to the gravity of the situation. The testimonies of the protesters in Minna reveal the multifaceted impact of the economic crisis.
One of the leaders of the protest, Aisha Jibrin, a housewife, expressed the desperation of waking up without anything to eat, emphasizing the failure of the government to address the rising cost of living. Other protesters highlighted the toll on family stability, mental health, and the alarming rise in social vices such as prostitution due to economic hardships.
The response of authorities to these protests, characterized by teargas, gunshots, and attempts to disperse the crowds, underscores the desperation of the people and the government’s seeming detachment from the struggles of its citizens.
Despite the chaos, the protesters remained resolute, expressing their weariness with the government’s unfulfilled promises and the worsening economic conditions. The plea for relief from economic hardship is not just a call for charity but a demand for accountability and effective governance. The protesters in Minna made it clear that their votes were cast with the expectation that the government would alleviate the suffering of the poor. The inability of the government to fulfill this promise has led to disillusionment and intensified the anguish felt by the citizens.
In reaction to the protest, Salihu Mohammed Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against ignoring the mass protests over the high cost of living. Lukman’s warning underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential political repercussions if the government fails to address the economic hardships faced by the people.
The economic hardship in Nigeria, as vividly expressed through the protests in Kano, Minna, and Suleja, demands urgent attention and comprehensive intervention. The government must address the root causes of inflation, soaring commodity prices, and the overall decline in living standards. Immediate measures should include subsidies for essential commodities, support for small-scale businesses, and the implementation of policies that promote economic stability and inclusivity.
President Bola Tinubu and other relevant authorities must heed the cries of the Nigerian people, acknowledging the severity of the economic crisis and taking swift action to bring relief. Ignoring the calls for help may not only exacerbate the suffering of the citizens but also lead to widespread discontent and social unrest, posing a significant threat to the stability of the nation. The time for action is now, and the government must demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of the people it serves.
The claim by the ruling APC that the protests were sponsored by the opposition is not only idiotic but also a clear demonstration of a lack of empathy for the people on the hardship bedeviling the country, which does not differentiate between Muslims and Christians, APC and PDP, Labour Party and others.
We were also shocked by the decision of the APC government to arrest the 25 people who led the protest in Niger State. It has been widely reported in the media and confirmed by the police that the leaders of the protest in Niger State have been arrested for initiating the protest against hunger in Minna. We also learned that the arrest had been met with outrage in Niger State. This media organization is also outraged and demands their immediate and unconditional release.
The police public relations officer in charge of Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that Aisha Jibrin, the initiator of the protest, was arrested along with 24 others. Abiodun said the command drafted police patrol teams led by the deputy commissioner of police (operations), DCP Shehu Umar Didango, to the scene during the protest, and after much persuasion by the police, the protesters refused to clear the road for public use.
He said the Niger State deputy governor, Yakubu Garba, also came to the scene and addressed the group, yet they refused and went violent. Abiodun said the police adopted minimum force to disperse the protesters who turned violent by attacking the police with dangerous weapons such as stones, bottles, sticks, cutlasses, and damaged police patrol vehicles and parts of the Kpakungu Division roof.
“In the course of this, the police arrested the initiators of the protest: Aisha Jibrin, 30 years old; Fatima Aliyu, 57 years old; Fatima Isyaku, 43 years old; all of Soje ‘A’ of Kpakungu area of Minna; and 22 other miscreants with the following dangerous weapons: a bench and a stick used as a barricade; three knives; one scissors; one cutlass; one saw blade; one iron pipe; four other sticks; two wraps of Indian hemp; and charms,” he stated.
Abiodun added that “during interrogation, the said Aisha claimed that she was not aware that her action was illegal by mobilizing over 100 women and miscreants to block the highway for a violent protest. She claimed further that she informed one youth leader, Hassan, in the area, who promised to inform the police of their plan to protest but did not do so.”
The police cannot take away the rights of Nigerians to protest against bad governance and for the enthronement of good governance. And the women do not need the permission of the police to protest. The police are supposed to provide security for the peaceful protest. We therefore join millions of Nigerians to demand their release and for the government to take the protest as a challenge to declare war against hunger in the country.