In reaction to a planned nationwide protest for August 1, the Federal Government of Nigeria has called an emergency meeting for Wednesday morning.
President Bola Tinubu requested that protest organisers call off the demonstrations in order to give his administration more time to carry out initiatives that benefit the general public
The planned session comes amid rising public discontent over the increasing cost of living and economic hardship.
These have been attributed to recent economic reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira.
Also, the planned demonstration has gained significant traction on social media under the hashtags ‘EndBadGovernance, ’ ‘TinubuMustGo’, and ‘#Revolution2024.’
Despite these grievances, the Presidency and police authorities have urged the youth to abandon the protest plans, describing them as ill-advised.
But are there reasons Nigerian politicians are resisting any form of protests?
Here is what we found.
1. Security Concerns
Protests can sometimes escalate into violence, resulting in property damage, theft, injuries, and fatalities.
However, authorities often cite the need to maintain public safety and order as a primary reason for preventing demonstrations.
The potential for clashes between protesters and law enforcement or counter-protesters poses a significant risk to public security.
2. Economic Impact
Furthermore, Protests can disrupt economic activities, affecting businesses, trade, and daily life.
In a country already facing economic challenges, further disruptions could cripple financial instability.
Authorities might argue that preventing protests is essential to safeguard the economy and protect livelihoods.
3. International Image
Also, protests that happen in big numbers have the power to damage a country’s reputation abroad.
Bad international media coverage can strain diplomatic relations, discourage foreign investment, and hurt tourism.
In order to sustain favourable international relations and economic prospects, politicians could choose to present an image of stability and control.
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Furthermore, protests challenge the government’s narrative and its control over the political discourse by highlighting public grievances and opposition.
Also, protests may be put down by politicians and law enforcement in an effort to keep control of the public discourse and stop the opposition from growing stronger.
