Sunday 8 January 2012

Fuel Subsidy, Before You Protest Tomorrow!

I know how 'touchy' this fuel subsidy issue has become in Nigeria. Much as I have taken a stance to give it a chance for the singular reason that " You can not do the same things over and over and expect a different result" which is indeed madness and perhaps this step will cure at least one of the many forms of madness that has inflicted our leadership over the years, I am at the same time grateful that at last something has brought if not all, a large number of the Nigerian populace together.


However, as Nation wide strike actions and mass non-violent protests have been scheduled for tomorrow 9th of January, one question still bugs my mind, Are Nigerians really ready for this? Do we frankly know how it may go and have made up our minds to fight it to the end? 
Peaceful protests are revolutionary and has brought great desired changes all over the world through out history but contrary to how the name goes, they don't all end peacefully.


According to Wiki, these were the exact reasons the Egyptian uprising started last year;

Grievances of Egyptian protesters were focused on legal and political issues including police brutality, state of emergency laws, lack of free elections and freedom of speech, uncontrollable corruption, and economic issues including high unemployment, food price inflation, and low minimum wages. The primary demands from protest organizers were the end of the Hosni Mubarak's regime and the end of emergency law; freedom, justice, a responsive non-military government, and a say in the management of Egypt's resources. Strikes by labour unions added to the pressure on government officials.
These are the exact situations in Nigeria, except we want to be able to sleep with our eyes closed, we are tired of mass burials of Nigerians butchered by fellow Nigerians  and we are not pushing for the end of GEJ's regime yet. It was said to be predominantly peaceful, but may be we can read it in full and decide if we are really ready for the equally dark side of every civil disobedience. Once that is done, I say "Up Up Nigeria, Claim thy rightful place"


 Read It Here



P.S: If what you are protesting is reversal of fuel subsidy, it is not worth your life but if you are fighting for Nigeria as a Nigerian then that is something to die for!