PROTESTS AND THE CHALLENGE OF ADDRESSING UNRESOLVED SOCIOECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ISSUES IN NIGERIA’S 2024 “END BAD GOVERNMENT” MOVEMENT

Abstract

Nations exist because of the people, and the people make democracies endearing. Public protest has remained a basic right and important activity in a democracy. Over the years, Nigeria has faced numerous environmental, political, and socio-economic problems begging for attention and answers. The government seems unperturbed about finding lasting solutions to these challenges as the political leadership is more concerned with capturing and holding on to power. In the long run, the people have resort to protests demanding solutions to these recurring societal challenges. This study interrogated protests and the challenge of addressing unresolved socioeconomic and political issues in Nigeria’s 2024 “End Bad Government” Movement. The study adopted David Easton’s System theory as a theoretical framework for analysis and the secondary method of data analysis. Thus, the study examined whether bad leadership and unresponsive governance result in protests in Nigeria, and whether suppression of dissenting voices results in protests in Nigeria. The findings revealed that bad leadership, infringement on rights and inability to access basic social amenities, among others, have often resulted in protests in Nigeria. Also, insensitive leadership significantly affected protests, and in most cases, affects government policies. The study concludes that protests have ignited conversations about governance, accountability, and human rights in Nigeria. The “End bad government” protest also created awareness of social issues, activated civic activism necessitated by political consciousness and engagement, leading to policy reforms. As such, comprehensive reforms, when put in place to ensure that rights are protected, the well-being and welfare of the people are realized, and basic social amenities are accessible, will surely prevent protests in Nigeria.