The first thing would be to emphasize in clear terms, what we already know; this is beyond the issue of police brutality, it is about the overall dismal performance of government and the attendant effect on our standard of living and quality of life. Importantly, to note that, it is not to lament on these ills, but to use this as an opportunity to evolve real positive change.
A salient thing about our democracy is how well our politicians and people in government have “bo bo” us, how much they are confident about continued use of their trump card over us. Therefore, the biggest point we can make, is for our leaders to accept that they cannot continue to take us for a ride, as it cannot continue to be business as usual. This has to be made in clear terms, and not just not just inferred.
Two issues come to mind, first is the unhealthy emolument of our law makers. For the very first time we have what we could call an official pronouncement of what our senators earn, this is one of the intangible achievement of this struggle thus far, but we need to concretize the gain. A demand for a reduction in the take home pay of the legislators should be precondition to a surrender. An amount not more than a third of what they currently earn, should be an acceptable compromise, in the first instance.
The other issue to touch on is the “criminal” retirement benefits of our governors. In my opinion, this is perhaps the biggest crime against our sensibility. I wouldn’t want to dwell on the details of the various largesse enjoyed by our governors, from Lagos to Akwa ibom, to Benin etc, simple put, it’s a slap on our face. People who have their hands inside the cookie jar for eight years in office, are allowed to cart away a chunk of our common wealth, and be remained served till they die. We must demand that the state governors request the law to be put in abeyance, forthwith. This making our second condition to surrender.
The two issues are a symbolism of what the political group should expect as things to come. With the end to SARS squad already achieved, then we would have done so much, and comfortably found a place to rest the agitation. We could of course then list other things as presently contained in the long list of demands by the protesters, as medium and long term demands. Not as though we would rely on government to be true to their words, but the point must have been made, struggle is a journey, and not a destination. So far, the government of the day has made good to yield to the demands of the protesters, this in itself creates justifications for wrong labelling that is expected to follow.
Finally, I wish to emphasize the fact that, the only way to
effecting a change, is by political means. This government came to power by
popular votes; indeed beyond winning an election, it was a pronouncement of our
desire to move from the old ways, therefore in itself representing a “revolution”.
Now that it is clear to us that nothing has changed, we cannot expect to change
the government or even governance in its entirety, by just collective bargaining.
We must be ready to go to the polls to create new leadership.
“It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he breaks, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt.” John Philpot Curran 1808
