Five Reasons Why The Proposed Lekki Toll Gate Protest May Change Nigerian Youths Forever
Most Nigerian youths have known for a while that the leaders do not care for them. However, it never quite registered in their minds that they could do something about the unfeeling leaders until the End SARS movement began in October 2020.
After two weeks of protesting, the youths suspended the End SARS movement on the streets. The events that followed the Lekki Toll Gate massacre on October 20, 2020, caused them to retreat. Even though the youths were no longer on the streets protesting, the movement never stopped. The End SARS hashtag continued to trend on social media. They succeeded in waking up the youths to the power of their voices and a sense of political awareness.
Many have followed the proceedings at the judicial panel set up to investigate that terrible Tuesday. It’s been over three months since that fateful day, and they are still investigating the shooting. However, the chairman of the panel, Doris Okuwobi, gave a ruling on Saturday, February 6, 2021, that allows Lekki Concession Company [LCC] Ltd to repossess the Lekki toll gate plaza.
But many have refused to accept the ruling; insisting the panel continue to treat the toll gate as a crime scene. Others say the toll is a source of government revenue and should be allowed to resume.
A protest has now been planned for February 13, 2020. The planned protests – for and against – have been met with mixed reactions, especially since the last one ended so violently. But many agree the conversation is worth having.
The last set of End SARS protests created a sense of patriotism in many young people and caused them to pay attention to Nigerian politics. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), nearly 70% of Nigeria’s 201 million population are youths, so their political involvement is imperative.
If the February 13, 2020 protests, hold, something is bound to change in the Nigerian youth forever. Here’s why:
1. Young Nigerians will re-confirm that they have a voice: Leaders showed during the End SARS protests that they would rather play politics instead of governing. But young Nigerians found their voice and they used it in ways not seen since the June 12 activism of the nineties. If all goes well at the planned protests on Saturday, it will just be the reconfirmation that they have a voice and that the government will have no choice but to listen when they speak up – whether through protests or at the polls.
2. If all goes well, the youths will successfully change policy by taking action: Young Nigerians are realising that they can cause the change they want to see. If the protests create the required effect protesters are looking to affect, it would mean that the youths have found one plan that works with regards to creating change. It would be the catalyst needed to demand more honesty and transparency from the leaders.
3. If things do not go as planned, the leaders may cause a revolution to begin: The last time people gathered to protest at the Lekki toll gate, it ended in bloodshed. Many are rightfully apprehensive that the leaders will command soldiers to open fire again on peaceful protesters just as they did the last time. If this happens, it may be the start of a revolution. Not what Nigeria needs right now.
4. It will show the disparity between the different set of youths: The last time young Nigerians gathered to protest, the government allegedly used other young people to attack protesters. There are already planned counter-protests showing that politicians have again, finalised plans to ‘politic’.
5. It will encourage the youths to be more politically involved in the 2023 elections: The proposed protests will make young Nigerians more politically illuminated. Whether or not the leaders listen to the on-going advocacy and activism, young people will want to have more of a say on who leads them come 2023. It means the larger part of the Nigerian population could be out to vote new leaders and hopefully change the landscape.
