Politics

Politics is the name of the game these days.  It’s 2012 and big change is everywhere you look.  There’s an Occupy Something in many countries, including Nigeria.  Aside from the Boku Crazies making threats and then inconsistently acting on them, the federal government has imposed a removal of subsidy from the Nigerian economy in an attempt…or what appears to be a veiled attempt…to stimulate the economy.  What this means for Nigerians is that prices are doubling from gas, to rent, to food, to bus fare.  Everything is doubling with the exception of the majority of the population’s income.  People organized for a peaceful demonstration beginning Friday, January 6. 

The strike lasted for a week and a half, and let me say I am relieved.  Relieved because it’s very difficult to stay in…no going out whatsoever.  And I couldn’t join the activities for safety’s sake and also for political reasons…echo Mamdou’s  (IFESH program director) words, “Don’t get involved in politics or religion.”  Yet, it was quite moving to see so many people come together across Nigeria.  Here in Abuja thousands marched and rallied at Eagle Square.  In Lagos even more took to the streets in solidarity.  The labor union had everyone shut down.  People did not go out, nor did they go to work.  Banks, stores, shops, etc., were all closed.  The strike was lifted for the weekend so people could replenish their supplies (food, mainly, and petrol from the black market).  A curfew was imposed in several states.  In the state of Kaduna the curfew was from 5 pm-8 am, and in Kano it was 24 hours…although people didn’t listen there and took to the streets anyway.

As the strike progressed throughout the week, it became less about subsidy removal, which the government reinstated, as the labor union sold out.  The price of a liter of petrol went from 65N to 141N and has been now agreed to stay at 97N.  Each day the strike went on, the country’s economy lost $32 billion.  But as talks progressed between the labor union and the nation’s leaders, the issue became less about subsidy removal and more about a call for transparency within the government and dealings with the country.  

Nigeria is number 2 in the world for corruption.  In 2011 they were beat out by Bangladesh.  Did you know...

After two weeks the labor union sold out.  They and the government compromised on a fuel price and things returned to normal.  Hopefully this event opened more Nigerians’ eyes to the power they have as a whole.  Their solidarity and peaceful protest were remarkable.  And although fuel prices will continue to creep up and corruption run rampant, more people are aware and vocal about it, and are  more moved within to work towards change either individually, as a community, or both.  Time will tell.