Rights activist and Convener of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, has emphasized the validity of the planned ‘#EndBadGovernance’ protest, highlighting the need to address corruption, fuel subsidies, and politicians’ remuneration.
In an interview with Vanguard, Adeyanju elaborated on these points while discussing the nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1.
He expressed strong support for the protest, emphasizing its necessity due to the country’s dire situation.
“The country needs protest,” he stated, attributing the organization of the protest to the pervasive issues of bad governance, hunger, poverty, and nepotism under the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Regarding the demands of the protest, Adeyanju asserted their validity, highlighting the importance of addressing corruption, fuel subsidies, and the remuneration of politicians.
“The demands are in order. And I must add that ending corruption is one of the important demands in the list. The issue of fuel subsidies and not paying politicians are important. How can a country be paying politicians? Politics should be a hobby, not a profession. We are too broke as a nation to be paying politicians,” he argued, underscoring the nation’s financial struggles.
Adeyanju criticized the government’s discomfort with the protest, attributing it to a reluctance to be challenged and held accountable, stating, “The reason government is uncomfortable is because it doesn’t generally like to be challenged. And the government wants to have a field day.”They want a situation where citizens cannot hold them accountable and there will be no consequence for bad behaviour. That is why they are feeling very challenged. I sincerely believe the protesters must hold government accountable.”
He urged protesters to resist intimidation by security agencies and government threats. “The protesters must stand their ground,” he insisted.
The activist acknowledged the broad support for the protest, including from northern stakeholders, and condemned the hypocrisy of those who remained silent during Buhari’s administration.
He praised the widespread agitation and support for the protest across the North.
“I recognise the hypocrisy of some northern stakeholders who refused to oppose Buhari when he was there because he is their brother. However, the agitation and support for the protests from all corners of the North is commendable. Anyone saying the North is opposed to it is not saying the truth,” Adeyanju stressed.
Responding to President Tinubu’s assurance that he is “on top of the situation,” Adeyanju criticized the president’s stance, calling him a “perpetual protester” who cannot now discourage protests.
“How can a perpetual protester like the President say such a thing? He has always protested and sponsored protesters.
“He protested against the military. He also protested against former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012. How can he suddenly say Nigerians shouldn’t protest? He is a perpetual protester. He got to his office by protesting. He cannot suddenly stop people from protesting. Karma is a universal donor. He should take what he has been giving other people,” the lawyer declared.
He emphasized the significant impact of past protests, such as EndSars, and the dire current economic conditions that necessitate such actions.
Adeyanju warned the government to handle the protests carefully, particularly in the North, to avoid grave repercussions. “They should allow people to protest and go home,” he advised, stressing that the situation could worsen if mishandled due to the severe hunger in the country.
Addressing claims that the government had identified the protest’s sponsors, Adeyanju dismissed them as “jobless people,” challenging the government to release the names of these supposed sponsors.
“They are jobless people. Why didn’t they identify the sponsors of Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers? Why did they suddenly start identifying the sponsors of protests? Who are the sponsors? Let them release the names of the sponsors. Are they afraid? The only sponsors I know are hunger and corruption,” the convener said.
He criticized the government’s priorities, pointing to the purchase of aircraft and a cruise ship for the President amid widespread hunger and insecurity.
“They bought aircraft for the President when people cannot feed. They bought a cruise ship. What does Nigeria need it for? These are the reasons for the protests. It is because of their incompetence that insecurity festers in the country,” Adeyanju lamented.
Despite social media messages listing him as a promoter of the protest, Adeyanju remained unperturbed. “Anybody can use my name. If they like, let them say I am the architect of the protest. I accept responsibility,” he declared, reaffirming his commitment to the cause.
