The Unwanted Protest 

Situation reports so far on the ongoing #EndBad Governance protests in Nigeria gleaned from the print, electronic and social media seem to affirm the apprehensions of many well-meaning Nigerians  that  the protests would be infiltrated and hijacked by those who do not know what peaceful protest is intended to achieve. It is this lack of understanding; consciousness and sensitivity to the critical needs of the people that  have more often than not, translated to the loss of lives and properties reported in some States of the country during  the ongoing protests. It leaves much to be desired that while the protest is against the hunger that has pervaded the land, occasioned by the harsh economic policies, some protesters take delight in destroying and looting properties owned by private citizens who are also vulnerable to pains posed by “bad governance” that they seek to end.
It is also nothing less than an irony to destroy public amenities built in the interest and for the welfare of the masses. It is unfortunate because those in the leadership saddle, the hoodlums think they are venting their anger against, are losing nothing by destroying public properties. Money that would have been used to drive development in the critical areas of the country and the affected States will unavoidably be diverted to fix, reconstruct and rehabilitate the properties destroyed. No doubt, it is the clear  fulfilment  of the aphorism, “penny wise, pound foolish”. Indeed, it is a case of lack of sound judgment to burn, or destroy structures built with public funds. It is also averse to the spirit of peaceful protest to destroy and loot private property. It is very unprofessional and a flagrant disregard and disrespect for sanctity of human life, for security operatives to  shoot and kill protesters with impunity.
The unfortunate incidents that have characterised the protests so far do not underscore the peaceful protest we need-a protest that is result-oriented and change-driven.  The premonition of hijack of the protest expressed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), other religious bodies, some concerned people and the Organised Labour is too real to be doubted. Today, how can we measure the success of the protest? Can we say without any iota of doubt that the objective of the protest is being achieved?  The right to peaceful protest is legitimate and fundamental. It is enshrined in international  rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and domesticated by Nigeria. Section  40 of the Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to assemble freely. The right to peaceful protest is the beauty and a function of democratic governance.
It offers the masses the opportunity for self expression and calling erring or a failed government or leadership back to its  statutory obligation. It allows people to publicly voice their concerns, challenge injustices, and participate actively in the democratic process. “Protests serve as a vital mechanism for holding leaders accountable and ensuring that government actions reflect the will and needs of the people. The recognition and approval of the right to protest is one action that makes a great difference between a truly democratic government from a repressive, dictatorial and despotic administration. Protest is evident and inevitable in every human institution or organisation from family to school, work places etc, If the heads or the administrators abuse their position and treat with contempt the people on whose prerogative they (leaders) were elected.
Some children have been known to protest against their parents, students protest against wrong administration etc. Peaceful protest is, therefore, a corrective mechanism, it is expression of a dissenting position against anti-people policies and programmes. It is only necessary to appeal to hoodlums or those who do not understand what peaceful protest is aimed at achieving to stay at home. People with criminal tendencies who infiltrate and hijack protests are the real enemies of the people. They truncate the genuine agitation of the people because of their selfish interests. Those who look selfish that they cannot build Nigeria should not destroy it either.