The biggest issues confronting our nation today, some of which are included in the #EndSARS demands, will not be resolved at a round table conference, dialogue or negotiations between the youth and government.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu puts it this way ”Power is not served A la Carte” He himself led what can be described as a political revolution of sorts that actually destabilized the existing ”powers that were” when he returned to Nigeria. He didn’t negotiate with them, they were strategically and systematically exited. He is a master strategist.
Tough as it is to say, Nigerians desire what can only be brought about by a revolution in whatever form, without a revolution
Dialogue is definitely necessary. The ongoing protest can’t continue forever. There must be an end goal with an exit plan. But it must be well thought out.
Machiavelli puts it this way, he studied over 400 years of history and two things men (women) will never give up easily are Power & Money. Some of the demands, if not all, directly or indirectly, touch on both.
But the older grandfathers have been and remain in this game with no exit plan and for them as relates to power and money it is till death do us part. Their negotiations will remain on that foundation. At the negotiating table demands that may affect power are dead on arrival.
Furthermore, the tech savvy, highly intelligent, social media campaigning, brave and courageous youth who we praise so much, (I must give it to them) need coaching and full understanding of what they are getting into before going to the negotiating den.
They are not politically savvy enough or fully knowledgeable of the inner workings of The Villa, political leadership, government and governance, and they will need wise counsel to devise a strategy.
Identified protest leaders must know that dealing with the government of the day at the table on governments terrain is a different ball game entirely than organising online and being on the street.
Once youth leaders are identified and nominated, the dynamics of the game will change. It’s beyond money.
One by one the weakest link in the totality of their being and existence, family, husbands, wives, siblings, fiance, fiancee, boyfriend, girlfriend, side chick, business, employers, employees, ++++, will be identified by government, the leaders and their sympathizers and the dimensions/dynamics will be as amorphous as they will hydra headed. They will get calls pleading with them to stop, threats, offers, personal promises+++++ .
Their single voice will be divided to create disunity, God Himself used this strategy when the people united as one attempted to build the Tower of Babel. He had to scatter their tongue to stop them. The old brigade will use same strategy.
Then, whatever will constitute a hypothetical Delilah, would be unleashed until Delilah uncovers the source of their strength, and one by one will they will have their hair shaved (hypothetical), they will lose their strength, until they lose their vision.
The end result, we will be back where we started. They will also only live to tell their children the story.
Phase 2, central leadership and dialogue comes with different dynamics. So,
1. What 5- 10 things must the nominated youth leaders be prepared for, before any meeting?
2. How can we help offer them wise counsel for the negotiation phase?
3. What should be their realistic expectations?
4. How do we prepare them for all they will encounter?
#EndSARS
#SoroSoke
#SpeakUpNigeria
This piece was submitted by an anonymous writer