The nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, aimed at urging the government to address the rising cost of food, have been notably absent in the South-East states. Despite the lack of physical gatherings, residents found alternative ways to express their dissent.
Warnings from various Igbo leaders, including the apex socio-political group Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, dissuaded participation. Concerns about potential backlash against the Igbo community led to a total boycott of the protests in the region.
In Lagos, Abuja, and other parts of Nigeria, Igbo traders also refrained from joining the demonstrations demanding President Bola Tinubu address the economic crisis. Instead, South-Easterners engaged in non-traditional forms of protest. In Awka, youths took to playing football on deserted streets, while others gathered in beer parlours, making merry.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Minister of Works Dave Umahi commended the South-East for avoiding the protests, emphasizing that their restraint prevented potential violence and property damage. Mbah urged patience with government policies, while Umahi highlighted recent government inclusions of Igbo individuals in key positions as a reason for the region's decision.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council President Mazi Okwu Nnabuike reinforced the sentiment, stating that Ndigbo had suffered enough and saw no reason to protest further.
Amidst the protests, Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo launched an agricultural initiative in Amansea, emphasizing self-reliance to combat food inflation. The lack of protests in Anambra was attributed to Governor Soludo's youth empowerment programs, which kept the state's young population engaged.
Dr. Nelson Omenugha, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, noted that proactive engagement with youths prevented protests in Anambra, highlighting the risks associated with violent demonstrations.
South-East's Non-Traditional Protests Reflect Unique Response to National Crisis
As the nation grapples with economic hardships, the South-East's distinct response to the #EndBadGovernance protests underscores a region's cautious and strategic approach to dissent.
