CHAPTER 4: ADAPTING NON-VIOLENT PROTEST TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT

ADAPTING NON-VIOLENT PROTEST TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT

Before launching a protest, it is essential to thoroughly understand the context, environment, and the most effective framework for ensuring the desired outcome. Protesting should not simply be about marching on the streets to gain the attention of the government; rather, it should evolve into a more strategic and multifaceted approach to addressing issues like bad governance and societal ills. When we consider protests that truly make a difference, we need to look beyond the act of moving from one street to another. Marching has its place, but it cannot be the sole or final solution—it must be a part of a broader strategy. If you believe that marching alone will bring about far-reaching and sustainable changes, you are simply deceiving yourself.

The true success of a protest lies in the unity and determination of the people, as well as their ability to persist for months or even years until their goals are achieved. In Nigeria, for instance, many of our challenges, as discussed in my book The Game Changer for National Transformation, stem from a need for mind transformation and empowerment. The book itself is a kind of protest against the old institution of governance that is counterproductive. By addressing these issues, we can significantly reduce problems such as ethnic biases, corruption, lack of productivity, religious intolerance, division, and more. Ultimately, when the mindsets of the people shift, the laws and policies of the land will naturally evolve to reflect the predominant values of the nation.

Given that the central government has been weakened by corruption and underperformance, now is the time to raise clusters of empowered and informed individuals and groups who can gradually reshape the political landscape from their end, no effort is too small. This calculated and structured approach is a form of protest in itself—a protest of action and change rather than mere words. It highlights the need to move beyond the old methods of carrying placards and chanting slogans against bad leadership. Instead, we must build a sustainable and durable structure of protest that can endure over time and truly make a difference.

The most powerful protest is one where you invest in yourself, create the life you desire, and protect that freedom. In many third-world countries, traditional protests can be dehumanising, often reducing citizens to a state of helplessness, as though they are begging the government for handouts. By giving too much power and relevance to the government, citizens unknowingly weaken their own authority, while simultaneously emboldening leaders to act with impunity. Autocratic and oppressive governments may even prefer when people take to the streets, as it reinforces their perception of control over a desperate populace.

True protest, however, is about letting the government know, with absolute certainty, that if they fail to fulfil their duties, you will take action to hold them accountable. It is about building a strong foundation within yourself and your community, one that is resilient and capable of driving lasting change. Protests that endure and lead to transformation are not just about public demonstrations—they are about reshaping the entire societal landscape from within, through empowerment, education, and a collective shift in consciousness.

Specific Areas to Build Subliminal Protest

In our context, let’s redefine protest as a way of resisting unfavourable and adversarial circumstances— a means of saying “no” to bad leadership without resorting to violence or destructive behaviour.

Consider this simple analogy to illustrate the concept of subliminal protest: An elderly business owner hires a young graduate into his firm. This young man, through hard work and dedication, helps the company grow significantly, contributing to its increased profits. Yet, despite his efforts, the business owner repeatedly refuses to increase the young man’s salary. Each time the young employee asks for a raise, he is met with threats of dismissal. This cycle continues for an extended period, leaving the young man frustrated and undervalued.

Eventually, the young man realises that his potential and earnings will always be limited in that company, no matter how much he contributes. So, instead of continuing to struggle for recognition, he decides to leave and start his own business. In a short time, he achieves tremendous success and becomes financially independent. This, to me, is a superior form of protest—quietly and purposefully removing oneself from an oppressive situation and carving out a new path.

The more common form of protest, particularly in less developed regions, involves the low-paid employee responding with anger—going on strike, or in more extreme cases, damaging company property. This reaction may provide momentary relief or expression of frustration, but ultimately, it is counterproductive. By destroying the tools and resources of the organisation, the individual not only hampers their own progress but also diminishes the overall potential for growth and development within the community. This is the same thing many of us are doing in the name of protests.

What I am advocating in this book mirrors the approach of the young man who, instead of creating a scene, quietly left the company and started his own venture. He achieved freedom without harming others or tearing down the structures around him. This kind of subliminal protest is a form of empowerment—it represents the ability to pursue the life you desire without being held back by external forces and without negatively impacting those around you. True freedom comes when you are mentally unshackled, and no longer reliant on oppressive systems for your well-being.

It’s crucial to understand that those who believe they cannot live a quality life without the support of the government will continue to be oppressed by that very government, even though it is supposed to provide them with protection and aid. I’m not suggesting that government is irrelevant—far from it. However, the extent to which a government is useful to you depends on your mindset and how you position yourself in relation to it.

This idea is comparable to marriage: your spouse can only enhance who you already are. If you are temperamental, angry, or possess a turbulent nature, no matter how supportive your spouse is, they cannot truly help you until you work on yourself and change from within.

As Shakespeare wisely said, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” The way we perceive our circumstances shapes our reality. If we can shift our mindset and embrace subliminal protest, we can transcend the limitations imposed by bad leadership and oppressive systems, and ultimately achieve the freedom and success we desire.

Protest, When Corruption is the Order

In discussing the nature of protest, I propose a carefully designed form of protest that, if diligently followed, could lead to the achievement of meaningful and sustainable objectives. Protests, when properly organised and strategically implemented, can serve as powerful catalysts for change. However, in the context of Nigeria, relying solely on government intervention is a recipe for perpetual stagnation. The reality is that waiting for the Nigerian government, as it currently operates, is akin to waiting indefinitely without achieving anything substantive.

Nigeria is a nation where leaders often borrow money from the international community only to squander it on frivolities and personal gain. These funds, intended for national development, are frequently misappropriated, enriching a few while leaving the majority of citizens to bear the burden of debt. It is disheartening to witness this pattern of borrowing with the sole intention of looting, an act that epitomises the corrupt mindset of those in power. These leaders, driven by greed and a lack of vision, are incapable of fostering the transformation and growth that Nigeria so desperately needs. This has been the case for years, with no significant change in sight.

We must ask ourselves: what kind of leadership borrows money, not to uplift the nation, but to indulge in excess while the citizens suffer the consequences? It is clear that we cannot depend on such leadership for the progress of our country. Therefore, it is imperative that we, as citizens, take matters into our own hands, adopting a new approach to protest that transcends the traditional methods.

What I am proposing here is not just any form of protest, but a well-thought-out, systemic protest that has the potential to drive real change. This is not about taking to the streets in the same way we have done in the past. While street protests have their place, they are often reactive and, at times, easily co-opted or suppressed by those in power. Instead, we need a protest design that goes beyond mere expressions of dissatisfaction.

A Systemic Approach to Protest

The new form of protest must be strategic, targeting the very structures that uphold the status quo. It should be a protest rooted in constructive disruption—an approach that combines civil disobedience with community-driven initiatives aimed at growth and development. The goal is to create a movement that forces those in power to reckon with the collective will of the people, while simultaneously building alternative systems that promote better living conditions for the populace.

For example, consider the power of economic protests. In countries like South Africa, where inequality and corruption have long been issues, coordinated economic protests such as boycotts have been used to exert pressure on businesses and government. By refusing to support industries or companies that benefit from corrupt practices, citizens can disrupt the flow of money that sustains corrupt leaders. In Nigeria, this could translate into targeted boycotts of products or services linked to government contracts or companies known to engage in unethical practices. When large numbers of people refuse to participate in a corrupt economy, it sends a powerful message that can lead to change.

Another form of systemic protest could focus on building alternative structures within communities. In India, the concept of self-reliance, or “swadeshi,” was central to the Indian independence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. Rather than depending on British goods and institutions, Indians were encouraged to create and support local industries and practices. This not only weakened the colonial power’s grip on the country but also fostered a sense of empowerment and pride among the people. Similarly, in Nigeria, citizens can start building local economies, support small businesses, and create self-sufficient communities that are less reliant on corrupt government structures which is becoming more irresponsible to the yearnings of the citizens by the day.