How do we Maximize this Protest?

Before they install a curfew, unleash the military, or we begin to lose focus, momentum or before division lines appear (which we prayerfully forbid); how do we make this a once in a lifetime opportunity?

We need a central coordinating office (strategy/war room), where data is collated, analyzed, policies papers are being crafted and extensive engagements are on-going with local and international parties.

Governance is cerebral and deep work. Protest can be a trigger but cannot deliver development on its own. You can't just keep saying, it doesn't matter, that's a sign of our inexperience.

You want to fix the police? Do you know how great Nigeria's police force once was? Even SSS came out of it. We should be crafting and recommending for: recruitment (hire best brains from Uni's in sociology, psychology, criminology etc.);

..welfare (open our own account + government to fix police barracks, children's schools, insurance etc.) and put records in public domain; technology (hire programmers to join the force, drones etc). Guys change is work, not energy alone !!!

Demand to change faulty areas of Nigeria’s constitution and update a new one immediately. We will write every clause using social media and blockchain technology – ranking and voting each point like we voted with Big Brother.

Re-structure the three tiers of governments and increase autonomy and revenue allocations to local governments (they should have the highest share) – so just like estate associations (which are quite effective), every community will determine the quality of its roads, hospitals,

schools, security, and other social amenities at the grassroots level Or don’t you notice how effective vigilantes or how those expensive estates in Lekki are managed or the 24-hour light situation in some areas of Lagos now based on special arrangements?

You will feel this impact directly and immediately! A good amount of our budget goes towards servicing the welfare of the Federal Government officials, its ineffective civil service, legislators and other inefficient processes.

Let’s collect the local government at least – we should then ask for an immediate reset of all local governments and that new election be held for the same. So we shift power to the grassroots and then take over from there. If we can manage the protest funds well, we can do ...

Demand for good governance from State Governors. State and Local Governments hold the keys to your immediate improvement in the quality of your life and welfare. Federal is long term and too far.

Demand the legislature should become a part time job immediately and their salaries only cover basic expenses (cut salaries to a tithe of the current figure). Give them their own KPIs also.

Demand the restructuring of the Federal civil service and key institutions like NNPC etc. – they should now all have targets, minimum service delivery levels (e.g. let me be able to get a driver’s license in 24hours like an ATM card)

Agency heads and permanent secretaries that fail to meet their annual targets be dismissed. Over 50% of Nigeria’s budget is paid as salaries to civil servants (reoccurring expenditure) and for CAPEX (roads, public amenities etc.) which 30 – 50% could be mismanaged

Now to fix Nigeria long term – register a NEW political party and operationalize immediately – Proposed name GenerationXYZParty (representing the three abandoned generations (XYZ), who didn’t taste the good old Nigeria).

Use technology and Unique IDs (BVN) for virtual party elections. 2023 is far, but we can begin to build momentum and prepare ourselves – this is our long-term strategy.

Let’s try if we can win over the military to stay neutral for their own good also – a lot of them are dying on the battlefield anyway and this could be their path to freedom also. Let’s focus on the middle and lower ranking officers.

Same for police and other security agencies; let our placards read – “we are fighting for you too, don’t be deceived, if you end this protest, your lives will remain the same.”

Protests are like fire – they can cook your food or burn your house. While we may desperately want change, if we don’t structurally protest, we will throw the country into anarchy or the government goes more brutal.

Most Arab Spring countries are still yet to benefit from their revolutions. Even if we change Buhari, the new President will come and use this faulty constitution and without a law – it will be chaos.

The best revolution is active engagement within the law – that is why our focus should be changing the law (our constitution). …

God bless the Protest and Godbless Nigeria