In the recent protests of 2024 in Nigeria, it became apparent that the movement was neither enviable nor successful, largely due to the manner in which it was conducted and the nature of those who participated. However, it is crucial that we do not dismiss the entire effort; there were indeed individuals who genuinely sought to contribute positively, aiming to salvage our nation from the clutches of ravenous wolves in government—those who prioritise their own interests and those of their cronies over the wellbeing of the broader populace. To those who selflessly went out to voice the concerns of the majority, we extend our gratitude and blessings. Thank you.

Yet, I must also speak candidly about the others who participated with misguided motives. Among these were those driven by a struggle for ethnic supremacy, others motivated by hunger and desperation, and some who used the protests as a cover to perpetrate vices. Additionally, there were influential figures—politicians—who felt distanced from the national wealth and saw the protests as a means to exert their influence, as well as those who joined simply to be compensated for their participation. These divisive factors rendered the protests ineffective and polarised the soul of the movement.

Until those committed to protest unite under a common front and share a unified purpose, any effort will be as futile as a steam engine with no fuel. Consider the construction of the Tower of Babel: the people succeeded as long as they were of one mind, but their endeavour crumbled when they became divided. The reasons behind our actions will ultimately determine whether we succeed or fail.

It is imperative that we examine these factors one by one, so we can gain insight into why our struggles over the years have yielded so little fruit.

Fight for Ethnic Supremacy

Over the years, certain ethnic groups have sought to polarise our national front, believing themselves to be supreme. Such a mindset is not only divisive but also detrimental to the progress of our nation. This belief in ethnic superiority has pervaded every facet of our development, stalling growth and creating unnecessary conflict. No ethnic group is supreme; we are all unique in our own way, and it is this diversity that forms the essence of our shared existence.

When you approach any cause with the belief that your ethnicity makes you superior, you are bound to encounter resistance. Those who might have otherwise supported your cause will inevitably withdraw, recognising the inherent injustice in such a stance. If you wish for a protest or movement to succeed, it must be inclusive. You must rally people around a common cause that benefits the collective good, rather than seeking to assert dominance. The true dividends of any movement should lead to the betterment and expansion of opportunities for all, rather than the entrenchment of a select few.

Politicians Leading Protests

When politicians lead protests, it is often not out of a genuine desire for change, but rather a strategic move to discredit the incumbent government and weaken their opponents before the next election. If politicians choose to engage in protests, it should be for legitimate reasons—standing alongside the people in their quest for justice and equity.

To lead protests with the sole aim of seizing power is both malevolent and unethical. Such actions are fraught with risks and often come at the expense of the very people these leaders claim to represent. It is important to remember that, no matter how much one schemes, true power belongs to God, and He determines who will lead at any given time.

History is replete with examples of those who have sought power through unscrupulous means, only to be thwarted when the time came. There are countless stories of individuals who went to great lengths—even committing heinous acts—to secure political positions, yet they were ultimately denied. The lesson here is simple: no one can force their way into power through unethical means and expect to succeed.

Therefore, we must strive to create the right environment in our nation—one that values integrity, inclusivity, and the common good. Only then can we truly progress as a unified and just society.

The Consequences of Protest by People of Low Character

Just because someone of questionable character supports a cause doesn’t mean they have the capacity to sustain or lead it effectively. This is why revolutions led by individuals of dubious morals often result in further disruption and destruction, rather than meaningful change. When people suggest the need for a protest, we should first ask about the character and integrity of those involved.

No one can deliver more than their inherent capacity allows. I recall a few years ago when a former president of our country joined a protest against the then-incumbent president, labelling him a “clueless leader.” However, when fate placed this same former president in power, his performance was even more dismal than the man he had criticised. Under his leadership, Nigeria regressed two steps below the performance of his predecessor. This situation highlights that oratory skills and brute force do not determine the effectiveness of an individual in leadership.

This also brings to mind some young men who, in recent times, were more or less terrorists but claimed to stand up for their communities. I warned others that such individuals could not be trusted with power because, if given the opportunity, they would likely inflict even more harm on the peace and stability of the community. The affliction of groups like Boko Haram serves as a cautionary example. If the surrounding communities had quickly denounced and distanced themselves from such elements from the outset, we might have avoided the problems we face today. A person of vain character will inevitably lose control of the cause they represent over time, leading to chaos.

Protest for Looting

In recent protests, we have seen individuals with ulterior motives, intent on looting public property and even ransacking private shops. Such people are like dead flies in ointment—a destructive force that corrupts the very society they claim to fight for. Take, for example, the recent protests in Kano, where many young people went as far as destroying and looting a government property dedicated to training the next generation of leaders. Consider the immense loss, not only in terms of the physical property but also the depreciation of human capital in that environment. The vast sums of taxpayer money invested in such entities were lost.

No matter the circumstances, such behaviour should never be encouraged. If we do, we are handing a loaded gun to those who would use it against society. Failing to discourage these individuals could lead to a war that we may not be able to contain. When a flood loses control, it destroys everything in its path, including the lives of those nearby.

This is why those who wish to organise protests must first educate, train, and vet the people who will join them. Transforming and changing a nation requires recruiting people who genuinely understand the cause and who are clear about the demands being made of the government. Only then can we ensure that our actions lead to positive, lasting change.

Protest Driven by Hunger and Money

There is a very striking story in the Bible of a young man named Esau, the son of Isaac. Out of hunger, he ignorantly sold his birthright to his younger brother for a mere meal. This serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating how desperation can cloud judgement and lead to irreversible decisions.

When driven by hunger and the lack of money, people often become vulnerable, recruited to fight battles they neither initiated nor fully understand. Many find themselves embroiled in struggles orchestrated by others, manipulated by those who offer financial incentives. They march forward, unaware of the real agenda, and risk being consumed by a conflict that was never theirs in the first place.

People motivated by hunger and deprivation rarely act from a place of wisdom or understanding. These basic needs can distort one’s common sense and sense of reasoning. It is widely reported that some influential politicians have financed and paid individuals to participate in protests, not necessarily because these people believed the government was corrupt or inefficient, but simply because they were swayed by the promise of financial gain.

Some join protests not out of a genuine desire for change or justice, but because their immediate needs — hunger and lack — drive them to follow those who offer a temporary solution. This situation highlights how easily people can be manipulated when they are in survival mode, fighting for a cause that does not resonate with their intrinsic values or personal transformation.

Preamble

This book serves as a follow-up to my previous work, The Game Changer for National Transformation, with the foreword penned by Ambassador Dr Yemi Farounbi. The book you are currently reading was partly inspired by an inner compulsion to address the growing demands for good leadership in Nigeria. Additionally, I was motivated by a recent call from the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) and Pastor Adegoju Adewumi.

This book is my own way of protesting against bad governance that has plagued our nation for decades. This is a constructive alternative model for sustainable growth and development in its entirety.

Protest is inevitable from time to time. But when protest is carried out, how effective is it to lead to positive outcomes.

This book is also a response to the national protest in Nigeria that took place between 1st August and 10th August 2024. The protest, which was aptly named “End Bad Governance,” was poised to be the mother of all protests. So significant was the movement that many of our national leaders and senators were forced to take sudden vacations to God knows where.

Their hasty departures suggest that they too are aware of their failures towards the citizens; for there’s an indescribable boldness that follow us if we do the right thing. These leaders over the years have enriched themselves at the expense of the populace. To compound matters, they have been borrowing heavily from international communities to fund lifestyles far more luxurious than those of their lenders.

The stark reality is that many regions across the country are increasingly dissatisfied with the abysmal performance of our national leaders in the last many decades.

This book delves into the issues, examining the causes of the widespread discontent and exploring potential pathways to a better future.

The protest commenced despite numerous entreaties from the government. However, it quickly became apparent that the nature of the protest varied significantly across the different ethnic groups in Nigeria. It soon became obvious that the parties involved had diverse interests, which, unfortunately, did not align with the broader national interest. Within a short period, the protest revealed its ethnic undertones.

In the northern part of Nigeria, the protest took on a particularly cataclysmic and worrying dimension. The unrest led to the destruction of government properties, theft, and significant disruption to the lives of ordinary citizens. Many in the North were disgruntled, partly because they felt disenfranchised with a president who did not share their regional background. There was also a sense of unease regarding the president’s attempts to challenge the status quo that has persisted since Nigeria’s independence. This status quo, while flawed, has been a familiar anchor for many, and any attempts to change it have been met with resistance; even when it’s glaring that the old system is failing to deliver good governance.

It is our hope that the president’s intentions are noble, as some of his actions have been commendable such as creating autonomy for local governments throughout the nation which is a form of decentralisation. However, we must acknowledge that intentions and actions are distinct entities with differing outcomes.

If we fail to reassess and modify the status quo, the nation risks remaining stagnant, to its own peril, indefinitely.

In contrast to the North, the eastern part of Nigeria opted for a more passive stance during the protest. The Eastern bloc largely believes that the current president was imposed upon the general populace, and therefore, they chose to observe from the sidelines, watching with a sense of derision as the government struggles to meet expectations. Their detachment can be interpreted as a form of silent protest, expressing their dissatisfaction with the political process and the outcome of the elections.

In the western part of the country, where the president hails from, participation in the protest was more measured. Some joined the protest, driven by the belief that the president was underperforming and failing to meet the expectations placed upon him. However, the numbers were relatively small compared with that of the North, as a considerable portion of the populace felt compelled to defend their kinsman, despite his perceived shortcomings. Notably, the protest in the West seemed to have a more mature and nationalistic tone, focused on the broader interest of the country. This approach holds promise and could serve as a foundation for more effective and organised protests in the future. The fact that they took to the streets, despite the president being from their region, is a testament to their commitment to national interests over ethnic loyalties.

What is the Sin of the Government?

It is widely believed that since the president assumed office, his primary ambition has been securing a second term, placing this goal above all other concerns. His body language suggests that he has been more focused on ingratiating himself with the aristocratic class and the wealthy and powerful individuals who could influence his future, while simultaneously weakening those who might stand in his way—a strategy reminiscent of Machiavellian intrigues. For example, he has made numerous concessions and purchases for senators and his allies within the government barely few months into the office.

Yet, he calls on the general populace to sacrifice and to understand that he is working for the good of the masses. However, it is evident that his actions are empowering the already powerful and making the rich even richer, while the poor are being driven closer to destitution.

Take, for instance, the distribution of palliatives and food to the poor during the hyperinflation that followed his policy of removing the oil subsidy. The distribution was handled centrally, in such a way that the poor had little to no access to what was rightfully theirs. In a radio interview, I spoke candidly: I cannot name even three people close to me who benefited from the palliatives intended to cushion the effects of inflation due to the oil subsidy removal by the government. The question then arises: how were these palliatives distributed? It was obviously enmeshed in corruption from the start.

On two or three occasions, we witnessed hoodlums fighting to steal the little that was brought into some local governments. The weak and the poor were left with no means to obtain anything. In this age of technology, it is well within our capability to distribute palliatives in a more efficient and transparent manner, where every individual could walk in and collect what is due to them using a stringent method of identification. However, to facilitate unaccountability, the palliatives were shared by proxy, following the most predictable methods of corrupt leadership.

I find it hard to believe that our leaders are so naïve as to think the citizens are unaware of what is happening. It seems more likely that greed is blinding them, making them behave like the foolish ostrich that hides only its head, leaving its entire body exposed.

Furthermore, despite the removal of the oil subsidy over the past year and beyond, the government has failed to implement any effective method of delivering the dividends of governance to the general public, leaving the population to endure increasing hardship. If the current trajectory continues, we may see repeated protests. If left unchecked, this unrest could eventually catch the leaders off guard. There will come a time when the people will simply no longer tolerate it.

My Long Term Vision

I hope this book will serve as the midwife for the new nation we are eagerly anticipating—a better nation forged through the right kind of protests. Much like my earlier work, The Game Changer for National Transformation, I envision this book becoming an essential part of our archives, preserved for future generations. It will stand as a testament that not everyone accepted the barbaric leadership styles imposed upon us since independence. I offer this book as a blueprint for nurturing a great and preeminent nation when the time comes—a guide to help us navigate towards a brighter future; not just our nation but as many who will readily imbibe the ideologies within the pages of this book. I write with the future in mind.

The words of Martin Luther King Jr. in his final speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,” delivered on 3rd April 1968, illuminate the ultimate triumph of just causes over injustice:

“I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.”

Indeed, after his passing, the African-American community began to see the realisation of the freedom they sought—a freedom that was once a distant dream. Regardless of one’s perspective, it is undeniable that people of colour in America are in a better position now than they were a century ago, thanks to figures like Martin Luther King Jr., who rose to the occasion.

This sentiment echoes the biblical story of Joseph, who, on his deathbed, assured the Israelites that God’s promise would come to pass—that they would return to the Promised Land. As a symbol of this certainty, he instructed them to carry his bones with them when the time came, as a token that God would fulfil His word.

The purpose of this book is to reassure us that change is imminent, that transformation is at our doorstep. Very soon, as a nation, we will sing a new song of relief from the grip of poor leadership. We will emerge as a people who become a reference point for other nations, for we will rise from this valley of despondency and misguided leadership to become a great nation; just likened to a “Phoenix rising from its ashes”.

There is an undeniable truth: where bad governance persists, so will the struggle for a better life, and with it, protests. The average person, with minimal access to food and security, will avoid risking their life. However, when someone is left unemployed, deprived of the essentials of life, they can easily become a tool for violence, often for nothing more than mere scraps.

It is important to understand that the real architects behind many protests or conflicts often remain hidden. One thing you will not find in this book is any encouragement towards breaking laws, causing disorder, or destroying public assets. Instead, this book serves as a guide to conducting peaceful and effective protests, offering a framework for change without endangering lives or causing harm to our commonwealth. I urge you to read it to the end to fully appreciate its perspective and insights.

This book is written with the realisation that more protests are inevitable unless our government steps up to address the people’s needs. Therefore, it acts as a cautionary guide, showing progressive-minded individuals how to navigate these periods of unrest in ways that ultimately lead to growth and national development.

The concept in this book is a masterpiece and a model for communities, societies, and nations seeking meaningful expression through protest. It is a blueprint for transferring power, fostering growth, and achieving a life of abundance for all.

Above all, the key takeaway is this: when people build the life they envision for themselves and reduce their dependency on the government, the government will, in turn, become more responsive to their needs. The most powerful form of protest is to empower yourself to lead a life of significance. Then, rather than relying on the government, it is the government that will come to rely on you.

Happy reading!