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Political action must go beyond protests – Osinbajo
Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the need for political action to go beyond mere protests, calling for measurable and tangible outcomes, especially in impoverished societies.
He said this while giving a keynote address at the Technology, New Media, Citizens, and Governance Conference, TNCG, in Lagos on Thursday.
Osinbajo highlighted the socio-economic toll of protests on informal workers and traders who depend on daily earnings.
“Political action must go beyond protest and the euphoria that it brings. It must lead to some measurable or tangible result, otherwise it becomes counterproductive,” he said.
While addressing the role of the elite in driving meaningful change, Osinbajo underscored their responsibility in crafting actionable objectives and building coalitions that lead to structural reforms.
“The role of the elite in political action is crucial. When I say the elite in this room, I speak of us, of civil society.
“The elite have the facilities to craft the objectives of political action or to clearly articulate the grievance and what would amount to success in the particular political action.
“They have the networks and the resources to build coalitions for political change, often leading to structural reforms; the type of change that makes a real difference,” the ex-VP noted.
Osinbajo, who also reflected on the dual-edged nature of technology and social media in mobilising political movements, praised the platforms for enabling leaderless coordination.
He, however, warned against the absence of clear objectives or leadership, which can hinder the achievement of actionable outcomes.
“A major advantage of technology, and in particular social media, in mobilising protesters is that the coordination of action can take place without any apparent leadership. However, if there is no achievable end, the effort may lack direction,” he added.
Former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has described the planned increase in electricity and telecom tariffs as unconscionable.
The statement comes after the telecoms regulator last week approved the increase in mobile tariffs.
The federal government also recently said that plans were ongoing to increase electricity tariffs “over the next few months.”
However, Sani, who said the government’s plan is unreasonable, insisted that it should be halted.
The ex-lawmaker also expressed his support for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the scheduled protest against the government’s proposal, calling it a welcome development.
“The planned increase in electricity tariffs in the midst of poor power supply and the proposal to increase telecom tariffs is unconscionable and should be halted. The scheduled labour union protest is a welcome development,” he posted on X.
The United States President, Donald Trump, has revealed his decision to cut off all future funding to South Africa, citing poor treatment of “certain classes of people.”
Trump made this known on Sunday in a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.
According to Trump, South Africa was seizing land and mistreating some citizens without concern for the violations of their rights.
“South Africa is confiscating land and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY.
“I will be cutting off all future funding to South Africa until a full investigation of this situation has been completed!” Trump wrote.
Reports suggest that the American leader may be defending White South Africans, some of whom have alleged that the South African policy is unfair to them.
There are indications that the federal government will on Monday meet with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, to stop the planned Tuesday nationwide protest against the 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike.
A reliable source familiar with the matter, who preferred anonymity, disclosed this on Monday morning, noting that the meeting between the NLC leadership and the federal government is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday.
The source said the meeting was a “dialogue on matters of national interest as it affects Nigerian workers.”
According to the source, it will be an inter-ministerial meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), purposely to resolve issues raised by the NLC concerning the federal government’s approved upward adjustment to telecommunications tariffs, which the NLC, its allies, and others are vehemently opposing.
This comes as the NLC is already mobilizing workers for a mass protest tomorrow (February 4) against the 50 percent tariff hike approval.
On Thursday last week, in a letter to affiliate unions and state councils, NLC General Secretary Emma Ugboaja urged them to mobilize other Nigerians to send a serious message to the government.
The planned protest follows the 50 percent telecom tariff approval by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on January 20, 2025.
The approval had sparked widespread rejection among telecom subscribers.
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