Bangladesh: Experts Warn FG Over Handling Of Protesters

The federal government has been warned about the consequences of mismanaging the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests, which have convulsed parts of the country since August 1. These protests are akin to those that led to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and fleeing on Monday.

Protesters have for days defied police and military crackdown in Bangladesh following the introduction of job quotas by the Hasina government that angered the citizens, mostly students, leading to the death of nearly 300 people since the demonstrations.

In what appears to be a military takeover of the government in Bangladesh, army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman said the military would begin talks on forming an interim government.
Hasina was forced to resign and flee her country on Monday following weeks of protests that began peacefully and then transformed into deadly clashes with security forces.

Despite reversing some of her policies that infuriated the people, the protesters soon escalated their demands to seek the resignation of the former prime minister, apparently for the use of force against demonstrators.

Since the protests erupted in Nigeria, there have been reports of a security crackdown on demonstrators, with police firing live bullets and canisters of teargas to disperse and kill protesters, especially in the north. Protesters have assembled in many cities across the federation to show their anger over the harsh effects of President Bola Tinubu’s policies of subsidy removal and devaluation of the Nigerian currency- the naira.

These twin policies were central to the crises rocking the Nigerian economy. They have skyrocketed prices of food and other essential items to about 250% in the last three months and increased hardship in the country.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP on Monday, former Nigerian High Commissioner to Singapore, Ambassador Ogbole Ode, warned that the abdication of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh should be instructive to power wielders and holders alike in the present circumstance of Nigeria.

He said, “This is because, ever since the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the ensuing Glasnost and Perestroika that ushered in the wind of democracy across the globe, there has been a new phenomenon – that is that democracy as a form of political engagement has been in recession, and it is precisely because of the failure of that form of government to deliver on the dividends of democracy that people have begun to question its efficacy in addressing societal problems.”

Also reacting to this development, international affairs expert and renowned journalist Dr Austin Maho said the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her subsequent departure has enormous lessons for Nigeria, especially the political elite, with the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.

He said, “The major lesson is that the government must no longer take the people for granted. Protesters in Nigeria are watching events in Bangladesh and can see how a sustained protest by the common folks has brought down an unpopular government. The government of Prime Minister Hasina, rather than listen to the cries of its citizens, deployed security men who used strong arm tactics that led to the death of hundreds of protesters.

“The death of peaceful protesters only served to escalate rather than de-escalate the situation leading to the fall of Hasina. It is easy to draw parallels between what played out in Bangladesh and what is currently playing out in Nigeria. Rather than give a listening ear to the demands of the protesters, the federal government has deployed the police and the army to go and forcefully disperse citizens expressing their constitutional rights of dissent.

“This jackboot tactic has unfortunately also led to the death of many protesters; at the last count, over 25 people have been reported killed. This can only lead to an escalation of the crisis. The federal government should know that they may use strong arm tactics to suppress anger, but this can also lead to an escalation and a catastrophic eruption that can consume the government.”

Maho, who is also a senior lecturer with the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja, said the social and economic situation in Bangladesh is far better than Nigeria, yet the citizens wanted more.

“The situation in Nigeria today is one bordering on basic survival as a result of the removal of subsidies which citizens are asking for restoration and an end to bad government. If truly the government is about the people, the Tinubu administration should be advised to listen to the people and draw a lesson from what is currently happening in Bangladesh. Tinubu’s loyalty should be to the Nigerian people and not the neoliberal policies of the IMF and the World Bank.”

International Constitutional Law expert Livingstone Wechie told LEADERSHIP on Monday that the situation in Bangladesh, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled the country amidst protest, is very instructive.
He said, “There is a growing trend related to the Arab Spring protests, which forcibly restructured the political landscape of a number of Arab states.

“Interestingly, the quests and questions are the same across the board, resulting in these protests ranging from hunger, poverty, corruption, poor governance, gross human rights violations, etc.
“The excuses Nigerian leaders often give are that they were not the origin of these problems and that the time is short for them to address these issues as expected by citizens. These alibis are not plausible but very disappointing.

“They show a deliberate class gang up against the citizenry because nothing has materially shown that the government is ready to accede to the demands of the protesting population, and it’s most unfortunate.
“Protests have always paved the way for drastic changes. The state must not make the mistake of undermining the citizen’s actions. All that Nigerians expect is simple major policy reviews to reflect their expectations. Nigerians need hope alive and nothing more.

“Sadly, the president has not done so, possibly because his handlers believe he is too big to concede to the protesters on some of the demands. This is Nigeria, and we must stop this lack of empathy for the suffering masses. Public office holders’ arrogant display of luxury in the face of these agitations is an affront to our collective sensitivity.”

Wechie advised President Tinubu to make the Nigerian refineries start working in three months and that certain critical sectors would reach certain targets within a period, failing which he should resign from office.

“There must be commitment borne out of patriotism. If not, this unwholesome cycle will continue. The fear here is that we have protesters who are ready to die, and that’s dangerous, in which case we must rise to the occasion and stop disrespecting the people who gave this mandate for leadership as though they are no longer entitled. This has to stop,” he added.