AN ALMAJIRI PERSPECTIVE TO THE #ENDBADGOVERNANCE PROTEST-Opinion.

By Professor Femi Olufunmilade

The ongoing nationwide protest in Nigeria, which began on 1st August and is billed to end tomorrow, 10th August 2024, has dominated public discourse more than any other issue in the past one month. It is tagged
#ENDBADGOVERNANCE.

This is because organisers of the protest gave notice weeks to its commencement. Now that it is running its course, the focus of discourse has shifted to the causes and remedies of the protest.

As a political scientist, I observed a new development in this protest I think deserves more than a passing interest. That’s the participation of the masses of the northern states, for the first time, in a popular protest with their southern counterparts. A pan-Nigerian revolution looms!

In terms of the energy and the numbers of people the northern states have deployed into this protest, they’re clearly ahead of the south.

Of particular interest to me are the Almajiris who participated in the protest. If my eyes are any guide, as I watched keenly several videos from states like Katsina, Kano, Yobe, Bauchi etc, the Almajiris constitute the overwhelming majority of protesters from the predominantly Muslim northern states.

Noteworthy is the fact that the Almajiri brand of protest is unique to them. They visited a destructive and anarchical vengeance on public institutions along their way. In one instance, they nearly broke into a state house in a northern state, but for vigorous resistance by security agents. In some cases, buildings linked to politicians were not spared.

Nothing is spared when they swoop on a building, except books in a public library where they made away with dustbins, in addition to electronics, chairs, tables, doors, windows etc.

Generally, the buildings they attacked were denuded of roofing sheets and every other component that made them habitable, except their cement blocks. Doors, burglary proofs, windows, tiles, electrical fittings, plumbing accessories, name it, they were all removed. In a matter of minutes as hordes of Almajiri descend on a building like hungry locust in a vegetable farm. Concrete drainage slabs and metallic signboards were all carted away. The hope is these booties of war would fetch some cash to buy food when sold to assuage the pangs in their perennially rumbling empty stomachs.

Contrast this with the protest in the south where no such destruction and looting occured. It has been issue-focused and largely peaceful, except, in a few instances, where the unfortunate injection of thugs, wielding sturdy cudgels menacingly, with fingers pointing at the government, created unpleasant spectacles.

In terms of impact, not surprisingly, the Almajiri protest has caused government at all levels, more anxiety than the dancing protesters in places like Ibadan and Lagos, the clergy-led crowd on the Plateau, among other orderly outings. The northern governors and the presidency in Abuja have had sleepless nights. There were fears of revolution and military intervention, especially on account of the rather unprecedented nationwide dimension of the protest.It has been a litany of conspiracy theories issuing from government – state and federal.

The Almajiris are sending a clear signal to the Nigerian ruling class, particularly in the north, that if they don’t act fast to reverse the grinding poverty the vast majority of Nigerians have been subjected to, particularly themselves, a revolution will be inevitable in the nearest future.

I say this as a student of revolution. The Almajiri protest style has all the imprimatur of a revolutionary force. They are fearless and have scant regard for threats of death; and they’re utterly destructive. Their protest is war-like. Not surprising, though. Their lives have been one long experience in misery. Hunger has been their regular companion since they were born and, lately, its intensity has been optimal. They lack parental affection. They have no definite place to lay their heads at night. They move from hovels to hovels. They virtually live under the elements day and night.

They earn their livelihood from street begging. These days business have been really bad. The population of alms-givers have dwindled drastically under the Tinubu Administration.

The older and very lucky ones amongst them are trooping down south to take up jobs ranging from riding commercial bikes to hawking fruits. Some get hired as maiguard (gatekeeper/security guard). The vast majority, however, are stuck in the north with the drudgery of a harsh and hopeless life.

To the Almajiris, all they need is what we call “Conflict Trigger” in Conflict Analysis to unleash the latent, ever-present fury of their hunger and misery on the callous and uncaring Nigerian establishment dominated by greedy, self-serving ruling class.

The trigger this time is the call for a nationwide protest. Next time it can be anything. Hitherto, they’ve found outlets for their seething rage against society in religious riots and lynching of anyone accused, rightly or wrongly, of blasphemy; Boko Haram terrorism; and banditry. Theirs is the proverbial idle hand that is the devil’s workshop. With token incentive, they can be mobilised for any violent cause.

But all hope is not lost. The Almajiris can be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society, before doomsday dawn upon us. But, it will take a deliberate and sincere collaborative action of the affected states and the federal government to achieve this.

If they sincerely desire to defuse this rapidly ticking time bomb, I will readily make available my expertise, if sought. I’m tired of putting elaborate efforts into producing free, unsolicited strategy papers that are left to gather dust by VIPs (Very Irresponsible Power-holders).

Femi Olufunmilade is a Professor of International Relations & Strategic Studies and Pioneer Director, Buratai Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo State, Nigeria.

Email: director.bccsa@iuokada.edu.ng