POLITICS TODAY

By Abdul-Azeez Suleiman
Protests have long been a tool for citizens to voice their grievances and demand resolution from their governments. The traditional method of protest, which involves taking to the streets in a mass gathering or public rally, has been the go-to approach for many activists and organizations around the world. However, this approach is not without its risks and limitations. In recent years, we have witnessed how street protests can quickly escalate into violent clashes with law enforcement, leading to injuries, arrests, and property damage.

In the context of a country like Nigeria, where protests are a common occurrence due to widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and lack of accountability from the government, it is important to rethink the way citizens mobilize and express their dissent. While street protests have been effective in drawing attention to pressing issues and galvanizing public support, they also pose significant challenges in terms of safety, security, and sustainability.
I believe that there is a more potent, safer, and peaceful alternative to the traditional protest model that could yield equally if not more impactful results. Instead of taking to the streets in a show of force, citizens should consider emptying the streets, shutting their homes, and staying in as a form of protest. By collectively boycotting public spaces and engaging in a silent protest from the confines of their homes, citizens can send a powerful message to the government and the international community without putting themselves at risk of violence or confrontation.
This alternative form of protest has several advantages over the traditional model. Firstly, it minimizes the risk of undue infiltration by provocateurs or police agents looking to incite violence and disrupt peaceful demonstrations. By staying indoors, protesters can control the narrative of their protest and prevent any outside elements from hijacking their message. Secondly, it allows for a more inclusive and accessible form of protest that does not require individuals to physically mobilize or participate in potentially dangerous activities.
Furthermore, by organizing a stay-at-home protest, citizens can leverage the power of social media and online activism to amplify their message and reach a wider audience. In today’s interconnected world, a protest that goes viral on social media can quickly capture the attention of the international community and put pressure on governments to address the grievances of their citizens.
In conclusion, the time has come for Nigerian citizens to explore new methods of protest that are not only effective but also safe and peaceful. By emptying the streets and staying in, citizens can send a powerful message to their government and the world at large without putting themselves in harm’s way. This alternative model of protest has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about activism and civil disobedience, paving the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful form of citizen engagement.