By Samson Ezea
Ahead of the commencement of the poorly executed August Protests against Hunger that took off on August 1, 2024, I was among those who were sceptical and cynical about it. Not because I am personally against it or not affected by the economic hardships that are affecting Nigerians, especially since the removal of fuel subsidy and introduction of other economic policies, I am affected.
But my scepticism about the protests is because of its tribal, political, vindictive and vendetta undertone and colouration that were being championed by a particular section of the country that had always erroneously believed before now that the country belonged to them. Besides, the hullabaloo about the plan for the protest and its aim were more political than altrustic and patriotic. This is why the protest has remained sectional and a flip-flop since its commencement.
Meanwhile, I was surprised reading a press statement issued in Abuja on July 29, 2024, by the governorship candidate of Labour Party in Enugu State, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga titled “JUSTICE FOR OGIGE-NSUKKA MARKET TRADERS, IFESINACHI TRANSPORT LTD, AND OTHER VICTIMS OF DEMOLITIONS OF MARKETS AND OTHER MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD EXECUTED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ENUGU STATE at the peak of the preparation for the August protests.
I was baffled and disappointed because I know that at the peak of the removal of some illegal structures, shops and parks in some parts of Enugu State namely Nsukka, Holyghost, Abakpa and Awkunanaw by Enugu State Government to pave way for Enugu State Government to construct the modern transport interchange/ terminals, Edeoga issued a similar press statement as expected from him, criticising Enugu government’s move in that direction. The press statement and other induced and needless distractions have not stopped the Enugu State government from embarking on the people-oriented projects, aimed at creating employment and developing the state.
If that is the case, why another sudden press statement by Barr. Edeoga on the same matter in Abuja at the peak of the preparation for the August Protests if not to incite or lure the people of Enugu State especially some of those affected by the removal exercise and have being compensated, provided alternative places and moved on to protest against Governor Peter Mbah’s government, hiding under the nationwide August Protests?
What did Edeoga want to achieve with the Abuja press statement, when those affected by the government’s move have seen reasons with Mbah’s government and moved on? Of what effect or motive is Barr. Edeoga’s Abuja press statement, when works have commenced on the new transport terminals? Why is Barr. Edeoga crying more than the bereaved and crying over spilt milk again at this point? Has Barr. Edeoga forgotten that every new development comes with sacrifices? Didn’t Barr. Edeoga know that the planned August Protest in Nigeria is not about the removal of some structures in some parts of Enugu State to pave way for the construction of new and modern transport interchanges?
It is not surprising reading on the eve of the August Protest, the Enugu State ruling PDP state leadership’s press statement raising alarm over uncovered plots by the opposition parties- Labour Party and All Progressives Congress to cause mayhem and unrest in the state in the guise of August nationwide protests. This is because the timing of Barr. Edeoga’s press conference and the rantings of the Enugu state leadership of All Progressives Congress ahead of the commencement of the August Protests were very suspicious and inciting.
Now that Enugu State residents have ignored and avoided the political and picayune push and call for them to participate in the planned and politically motivated August Protest in the state, which the opposition in the state had tried so hard to lure them into, what will the opposition do? Will they go to Enugu residents’ homes to force them out to protest, or will they stop them on the roads and force them to protest? They can’t try any of them, knowing the implications and consequences of embarking on such barbaric and unconstitutional actions in the name of opposition politics.
With the way and manner, the Enugu residents in solidarity with Governor Mbah’s administration shunned the August protests in the state, the opposition in Enugu State and their co-travellers, who have not seen anything good about Governor Mbah administration’s good governance and massive infrastructural development across the state should know and realize that Enugu residents are wiser and majority of them are supportive of Governor Mbah and his good works.
That was the major reason they ignored the opposition’s calls for them to participate in the orchestrated August protests that have been counterproductive across the country.
On the issue of the commencement of the new transport terminals, it is a fact that those that were affected in Awkunanaw, Abakpa and Holyghost have moved on with their businesses in other locations, but that of Nsukka has become and remained a cheap political tool of blackmail for opposition Labour Party in Enugu North Senatorial zone. It is not out of place that If Governor Mbah has excluded Nsukka in the transport terminal project, the same opposition will definitely accuse his administration of sidelining Enugu North Senatorial zone in his developmental project programmes.
Opposition should know that Enugu people have gone beyond the removal of illegal structures in some parts of Enugu State and are now looking forward to the completion of the new transport terminals with all modern facilities that will ease means of transportation, create employment opportunities and beautify the state.
