Why Prof. Udenta Thinks the Hunger Protests Won't End Soon

Prominent political scholar and founding national secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Prof. Udenta O. Udenta, has cautioned the Nigerian government to anticipate increased demonstrations in the event that it is unable to considerably lower the cost of staple foods and reduce poverty.

In addition, he issued a warning to anyone planning large-scale demonstrations, advising them to abstain from violence and obey the constitution.

reaction to the terrible material circumstances that impact almost every social class, with the exception of the 10%, not just the masses.

"The country should expect more hunger unless hunger is reduced, poverty is decreased, the prices of staple foods are significantly lowered, inflationary pressures are eased, the depreciation of the Naira is reversed, and the prices of petroleum products are brought within the reach of the people." protests in the near future that will be more widespread and intense than the ones that recently ended.

As long as the goals of mass protests are sincere, pro-people, and progressive in character and orientation, then no amount of pressure, persecution, or prosecution by the state and its security, intelligence, and defense apparatuses can limit or eradicate them.

"Mass protests are a constitutionally guaranteed civic right intended to provide boundaries for the preservation of democratic governance and the advancement of human rights, so long as they are orderly, civil, and peaceful."

Udenta gave President Bola Tinubu credit for acknowledging that the people are hurting and that he hears their voice clearly, even if he conceded that the national broadcast may not have lived up to the expectations of many in society.

"However, regardless of the powers used to suppress them, we may anticipate social instability, widespread mobilization, regime demonization, and quickly expanding national fault lines as long as they cry out without seeing a way out. "He or she who is already on the ground indeed fears no fall," as the proverb goes.

He went on to say that it is imperative to deal with the anarchist and anti-democratic elements that exist inside the ranks of protest. Even with Western liberal democracy's shortcomings in Africa, it still needs to be shielded from attacks by regressive groups that aim to cause unending anxiety in society.