In the annals of Nigeria’s political history, the #EndBadGovernance protests will be remembered as a defining moment in the people’s struggle for a better nation. These protests represent not just a call to end government incompetence but also an awakening of the collective consciousness of a generation that refuses to accept the status quo. Yet, what should have been a pivotal step forward for Nigerian democracy has instead been met with frivolous treason charges, violent crackdowns, and an authoritarian response from the government led by President Bola Tinubu. This is the same Tinubu who, in the past, loudly opposed the perceived overreach of previous administrations, especially that of Goodluck Jonathan. Tinubu’s assault on democracy marks an alarming departure from the principles of good governance he once championed, signaling a dangerous slide into repression and authoritarianism. The violence inflicted upon peaceful protesters expose the deep-seated hypocrisy of a man who once claimed to fight for the people but now suppresses those who dare to speak out. It’s simply pathetic!

 

To understand the depth of Tinubu’s betrayal, we must revisit his role as an opposition leader during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan. Tinubu was a vocal critic of Jonathan’s administration, positioning himself as a defender of democracy and the rule of law. He, along with his party, the then-opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), organized protests, rallies, and campaigns that challenged Jonathan’s government on various fronts, including corruption, insecurity, and bad governance. In 2012, Tinubu was among the leaders who supported the fuel subsidy protests, which saw Nigerians take to the streets in mass demonstrations against the removal of fuel subsidies by Jonathan’s government. Those protests, largely peaceful, were allowed to proceed without the kind of violent crackdowns and treason charges we see today under Tinubu’s own rule. At the time, Tinubu positioned himself as a champion of the people’s right to dissent, arguing that opposition to government policies was a fundamental aspect of a healthy democracy. His rhetoric was that of a man committed to defending the rights of Nigerians to speak truth to power.

 

Yet, fast forward to 2023, and Tinubu now sits on the other side of the table. His response to the #EndBadGovernance protests has been diametrically opposed to the principles he once espoused. Instead of engaging in dialogue with protesters and addressing their legitimate grievances, his government has resorted to violence, intimidation, and the baseless accusation of treason.

The #EndBadGovernance protests did not emerge from a vacuum. They are a response to years of systemic failures by successive Nigerian governments, including widespread corruption, inept governance, high unemployment, poor infrastructure, and a broken social contract. These protesters, most of them young Nigerians, represent the future of the nation. They are not asking Tinubu for the impossible; they are demanding that their government fulfill its basic responsibilities. In a country where over 40% of the population lives in poverty and unemployment rates hover around 33%, the grievances of the protesters are not only valid but urgent. Their calls for accountability, transparency, and reform should be the cornerstone of any functioning democracy, not grounds for arrest and charges of treason.

 

In a gross misuse of power, Tinubu’s government has leveled treason charges against some of the protesters, accusing them of plotting to overthrow the government. This is not only a dangerous precedent but an outright attempt to silence dissent and delegitimize a movement that seeks nothing more than the improvement of Nigeria. Treason, as defined by law, involves acts that directly threaten the sovereignty or territorial integrity of the state, typically involving armed rebellion or conspiracy. Peaceful protesters demanding better governance do not meet this threshold by any stretch of the imagination. The use of such charges is a tactic reminiscent of military dictatorships seeking to suppress opposition and retain control through fear and intimidation. By labeling protesters as traitors, Tinubu’s government is attempting to quash legitimate political expression, thereby stifling the voices of those who seek to hold their leaders accountable. It is a cynical ploy to paint the protesters as enemies of the state, when in reality, they are its most passionate defenders.

 

This misuse of treason charges also highlights the broader issue of how laws in Nigeria are often weaponized against the public. Instead of protecting citizens and upholding democratic ideals, the law is being bent to serve the interests of those in power, creating an environment where political opposition is criminalized and free speech is endangered. As if the treason charges were not enough, the Tinubu administration has also deployed violent force to disperse peaceful protesters. Security forces have used live ammunition, tear gas, and brutal force to suppress demonstrations, resulting in multiple injuries and deaths. This unprovoked violence is not only a violation of the protesters’ constitutional rights but also a moral failing of leadership.

 

For a president who once stood on the podium advocating for the rights of Nigerians to express their grievances, Tinubu’s actions are nothing short of a betrayal. The violence inflicted upon peaceful protesters mirrors the brutality that sparked the #EndSARS protests in the first place, creating a vicious cycle of state-sanctioned repression. This is not the behavior of a democratic government; it is the conduct of a regime that fears its own people. The right to peaceful assembly and protest is enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, and it is a fundamental tenet of any democracy. The violent crackdown on protesters is a stark reminder that, despite Nigeria’s claims of democratic governance, authoritarianism lurks beneath the surface, ready to rear its head whenever the status quo is challenged.

 

Tinubu’s actions are the height of hypocrisy. How can a man who once led protests and rallies against government policies now turn around and suppress the same rights he once championed? This glaring contradiction reveals Tinubu’s true nature: a politician who is willing to use democratic principles when they serve his interests, but just as quickly abandon them when they threaten his hold on power. During his opposition days, Tinubu’s rhetoric was full of references to the will of the people, the importance of accountability, and the necessity of change. He spoke of the government’s responsibility to listen to its citizens and respond to their needs. But now, as president, he has become the very thing he once criticized: an authoritarian leader willing to crush dissent to maintain the status quo.

 

Tinubu’s crackdown on the #EndBadGovernance protests and the baseless use of treason charges must be condemned in the strongest terms. Nigerians cannot afford to be silent in the face of such blatant hypocrisy and abuse of power. To remain silent is to accept the erosion of democracy and the continued suppression of the rights of Nigerian citizens. The international community must also take note of the deteriorating situation in Nigeria. Human rights organizations and global media outfits must shine a spotlight on the actions of Tinubu’s government, ensuring Nigeria does not slide into authoritarianism.

 

Tinubu’s streak of authoritarian madness is not just a betrayal of the ideals he once claimed to stand for, it is a betrayal of Nigeria’s future. By attacking the youth, stifling dissent, and criminalizing legitimate calls for reform, Tinubu is setting Nigeria on a dangerous path toward authoritarianism and continued stagnation. The #EndBadGovernance protests represent the aspirations of millions of Nigerians who want a better, more just, and more accountable government. These aspirations cannot and should not be silenced. It is time for Tinubu to remember the principles he once championed and to govern as a leader who listens to the people, not as a dictator who fears them. Anything less is a betrayal of the Nigerian people and the democratic ideals upon which the nation was founded.