Is Nigeria the next African country to experience a revolution?
The ousting of Omar al-Bashir as president of Sudan by protesters on April 11, 2019, shows anything is possible. It also proves that revolutions are real and can be carried out in the 21st Century. The world stood still when the military announced on that fateful day that the president had been ousted from office.
There wasn't a single shot fired by the protesters. All they did was gather in one voice and asked for Omar al-Bashir to cease being their president.
Yes, they called on the army to aid their cause, but the victory was entirely the people. The defiant citizens defied the odds and filled the streets day and night.
It appears a revolution is brewing in Nigeria, and like al-Bashir, the government of Nigeria is dancing to the music.
When news broke that security forces in the country fired teargas canisters and arrested of #RevolutionNow protesters in Lagos, Nigeria; students of revolutions knew that was a wrong move by the government.
The government claimed that the gathering of the protesters was unlawful.
The group was protesting against violence, marginalization, poor economic policies, killings, and insecurity in the country.
Among those reportedly arrested was the leader of the #RevolutionNow movement and presidential candidate in the just-concluded February elections, Mr Omoyele Sowore.
Speaking to journalists, Mr Tijani Fatai, an assistant commissioner of Police, Lagos state opined that the group did not seek the permission of the place from the Police before gathering.
Mr Sowore who contested under African Action Congress (ACC) in the last elections created the #RevolutionNow hashtag, which was duly accepted by many social media users. The hashtag is said to be a tool to mobilize people to fight, correct and condemns the Muhammadu Buhari led government.
Mr Sowore was arrested by men of the Department of the State Service, DSS, for alleged threatening of the peace of the country.
The Online Publisher Association of Nigeria (OPAN) have released a statement signed by its president, Austyn Ogannah and General Secretary, Daniel Elombah.
"Detaining Sowore indefinitely without access to his lawyer or charging him to court is crude, undemocratic, brazen and draconian. He should be freed immediately or charged to court if indeed the state has a case against him," OPAN President, Austyn Ogannah said in the statement.
Every student of revolution knows that the government has made a wrong move in arresting the protesters. Not only have they given them the much-needed publicity, which will lead to support from the people; they have justified the claims of the protesters.
Only time will tell where this will lead; one clear thing; however, is that it doesn't end here.
What are your thoughts?
Header Image Credit: Omoyele Sowore