Mike Ejiofor, a former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), attributed the peaceful nature of the 2012 anti-subsidy removal protests to then-President Goodluck Jonathan’s approach and “body language.” Ejiofor shared his thoughts on the current unrest during an appearance on Arise TV on Friday, July 26.
Ejiofor explained that the 2012 protests remained orderly because conditions in the country were not as severe as they are now. He noted that some people opposing current protests have personal interests at heart. Ejiofor urged President Bola Tinubu to engage with ordinary Nigerians at the grassroots level and emphasized the need for the President to address the nation directly through a broadcast.
He stated, “The 2012 protest didn’t turn violent partly because of the then-president’s body language. He allowed the protests to proceed, and the situation wasn’t as dire as it is now. Today, people are hungry and desperate, and this can be exploited to vent their anger. It’s their constitutional right to protest, but organizers did well by giving the government sufficient notice. Various stakeholders and interest groups have appealed to them to reconsider the protest.
“No matter how good the intentions are, protests can eventually be hijacked. We all agree there is economic hardship, hunger, and anger in the country. People who are more desperate might use the opportunity to loot, turning the protest violent. That’s why we keep appealing to the organizers to reconsider and give the government time to address the issues.
“Protests are a legitimate right as long as they remain peaceful. If they turn violent, the government has the duty to protect the state and innocent citizens. The ordinary person on the street needs to be informed, but many don’t have access to electricity or media to know what’s happening. The President should consider a national broadcast to speak directly to the people and help ease the tension.”
Ejiofor’s remarks highlight the delicate balance between the right to protest and the potential for violence, urging for patience and direct communication from the government to the citizens.
