Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Residents in Anambra State have given reasons why they are not participating in the ongoing nationwide protest against bad governance, which enters its Day 3 on Saturday August 3.
Speaking to Ikengaonline correspondent some residents said it was risky staging a protest in Nigeria where security agencies have little regards for human lives.
Others felt there was no point closing shops to protest when there is no guarantee anything substantial could come out of it.
“Since yesterday, my shop has been open and I’m making sales. I can’t come out and surrender my life for Nigeria. I prefer to stay indoors eating and drinking than to risk my life,” said Emmanuel Anagha, who operates a provision shop in Awka.
Mr Anagha said his major reason for not participating in the protest was because of the tribalism and marginalisation of the people of South-East in the country.
“I’m not participating in this current protest because I feel that the South-East is marginalised. When you look at the outcome of the last presidential election, what happened was an eyesore. Igbo votes in the election did not count but they said he (Tinubu) won. Now we must allow him to lead us.
“During the time of Muhammadu Buhari, Igbos were not given fair appointments and the same thing is happening now under Tinubu.”
Continuing, Anagha said “There is tribalism in the country. During the Buhari era, the Hausa didn’t protest the economic and security challenges but now that their man is no longer in charge, they are protesting.
“Igbos are the targeted group among the tribes in Nigeria and I’m fully aware that we would be tagged something else if we come out. So, it is their turn to stay out and protest.
“It is good that we all are experiencing the same thing now. Let us all feel the heat. Hunger should serve everyone,” he concluded.
Another resident, Gerald Ifeanyi who operates a salon said he was fully aware that the protest would yield nothing other than killings.
“Since yesterday, I have been working in my shop. I didn’t participate because I am fully aware that it will yield nothing. The protest will not stop the hunger rather it will increase it and even lead to loss of lives.
“We need to sit down and dialogue with them because we have protested before and it yielded nothing. Repeating it is not the best thing for now.”
Miss Ijeoma Ochebiri, a fashion expert, said her refusal to join the protest was born out of fear of the outcome, particularly the fear that the protest might turn violent.
“I’m not sure that protest will yield anything positive particularly from the presidency. Again, this is Nigeria. At times, peaceful protests turn out to be violent, and one may lose his or her life and become a victim,” she said.
Mr Chibuike Nnachi, a trader at Popular Eke Awka who deals in footwear said there was no reason to join the protest as the government was already devising steps to reduce hardship and hunger in the country.
According to him, “I have no reason to join the protest. It’s not that I’m comfortable with the present situation but protest would not yield any results rather it would impact negatively on the economy which would invariably heighten the hardship.”
Another resident, Mr Nnemeka Nwangwu who is a shuttle bus driver operating the Nnewi-Awka route said no protest in Nigeria’s history has ever benefited the country’s economic growth and development.
According to him, “Protest is not the solution to the hunger and economic hardship in the country. It will only be counterproductive because there’s no way you can disrupt social and economic activities that would not lead to violence.”
