#RevolutionNow: How Buhari fell for the trap

byNational Pivot -
#RevolutionNow protesters/Image by Vanguard
Wait! What is happening in Nigeria? That's a pretty lame question to ask for sure. It would be very strange to think you are in the dark on the #RevolutionNow protest currently taking place in the country. And no, the fact that one of the protest's leading figure, Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters has been in detention since August, does not stop Nigerians from protesting against the misrule of the Buhari government.



But what's this #RevolutionNow protest about? I'd say it is the very first real attempt by Nigerians to say enough is enough to bad leadership in the country.

Nigeria as a country has for years, struggled to live up to its potential and it all goes down to bad leadership which as at today, has become a norm. In fact, it's almost as if we are cursed so much that we had to accept our sufferings as the will of God. Call it suffering and smiling and you definitely won't be far from the truth.



We've lived like this for many years; like slaves in the very country we call our own. The oppression is so real and strong that we fear and dared not fight for our rights. But it was only a matter of time until Nigerians get over their fears and differences, and unite for a common cause.

Regardless of the actual motives behind the #RevolutionNow protest, it's not a coincidence that it came up at a time the country is experiencing one of its worst moments in history. Almost nothing seem to be working under the current Buhari government. That a rich and well endowed country is ranked among the top most miserable countries in the world, the protest definitely couldn't have come at a better time.




But in its typical nature, the APC administration would not allow protests against its administration to hold. In fact, the presidency not only arrest and detained Sowore in hope to scuttle the planned protest, but it said in a speech, that no amount of protest will unseat the president if its not through the ballot. But can same government be trusted to hold a credible election when the recent one is adjudged as the worst since the Iwu era?


Well, to say resistance against the #RevolutionNow protest is unexpected, is to live in a fool's paradise. It is said that tyrants feed on the fears of the people to enslave them. Fear has been the very reason previous protests against bad governance and policies in the country were a colossal failure. Therefore, for this latest attempt to be a success, those leading the protest obviously knew what do.



The Buhari administration has been seen by many Nigerians as dictatorial for not respecting court orders and arresting perceived enemies and critics of his administration. It is a no-brainer that the #RevolutionNow protest will face stiff resistance. But the trick is to try to win sympathy from the international community by exposing the Buhari government for who it is. This certainly, could be the main aim of the #RevolutionNow protest.



Just like the above tweet points out, Sowore and the rest of the team may just have proved to the world, that what we have here in Nigeria is not a democracy. Nigerians who turned out for the protest weren't even allowed to protest, and where attacked by the security for insisting on their rights. This is a perfect way to draw sympathy from the international community, and should this be their actual master plan, well, it was well executed. They sold the Buhari administration a dummy, and it fell for it.

Where it all goes from here remains to be seen. But one thing is clear, freedom comes at a cost.
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