Pointless Protest?’Tinubu Must Go’ and other unrealistic demands of the ’10 days of Rage’

The upcoming ’10 Days of Rage’ protest in Nigeria has sparked intense debate, discussion, and apprehension, as many fear a repeat of unexpected and potentially destabilizing events.

While the protesters’ demand for good governance and an end to hardship resonates with many, experts and civil society organisations (CSOs) have raised concerns about the feasibility and practicality of many of the other demands.

Context and Background

The protest, organised by a coalition of groups, claims to address various issues affecting Nigerians, including economic hardship, corruption, and poor governance.

However, some of their demands have been criticized for being unrealistic, vague, or even counterproductive.

Here are some of the demands of the protesters and the position of experts.

‘Tinubu Must Go’

One of the most contentious demands is the call for President Bola Tinubu’s removal from office.

President Tinubu was elected in 2023 by over 8 million Nigerians from across the country.

Experts argue that this demand is unrealistic and potentially dangerous, as it undermines the democratic process and could lead to anarchy.

They point out that President Tinubu was elected through a democratic process and can only be removed through constitutional means, such as impeachment or electoral defeat.

N250,000 Minimum Wage

Following months of impasse, the Nigeria Labour, Trade Union Congresses and the Federal Government recently reached a consensus on a new minimum wage of N70,000, which has since been passed by the National Assembly.

Experts argue that the protesters’ demand for a N250,000 minimum wage is not only unrealistic but also beyond their purview.
They contend that it’s not the protesters’ role to negotiate wages on behalf of Nigerian workers, and that such a drastic increase could potentially bankrupt the government – a fact even the labour unions acknowledge as unfeasible.

Scrap the Senate

The call to abolish the Senate and transition to a unicameral legislature has been met with skepticism.

Experts argue that this demand ignores the complexities of Nigeria’s political system and the need for representation and checks and balances.

Restore Subsidy and Revert Petrol to N100′

Restoring fuel subsidy and reverting petrol to N100 is a bad move and unrealistic demand. It would drain government finances, encourage inefficient consumption and smuggling, and fail to address the root causes of high fuel prices.

This demand ignores economic realities, prioritizing short-term gains over sustainable progress, and would create an unsustainable financial burden.

Expert Insights and Concerns

Experts have expressed concerns that the protest’s unrealistic demands and lack of clear leadership could lead to the hijacking of the protest by individuals with ulterior motives.

They urge the protesters to engage in constructive dialogue with the government and civil society organizations to address their grievances in a peaceful and democratic manner.

“Protests and slogans alone can’t fix Nigeria’s challenges” Kayode Olaniran, a Public Affairs analyst assserted.

“Real change demands a hard-nosed assessment of resources, realities, and sacrifices” he concluded.