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Several Nigerian Elders have called me in the past few days for my take on the #EndSARS 
Protests. They believe the Arrowheads were paid/sponsored. One sent me this - https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/04/why-street-protests-dont-work/360264/
I disagreed from a factual standpoint. I'm documenting this for Posterity.
A Thread
Protests. They believe the Arrowheads were paid/sponsored. One sent me this - https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/04/why-street-protests-dont-work/360264/I disagreed from a factual standpoint. I'm documenting this for Posterity.
A Thread
The #EndSARS Protests was the most effective post 1999 Community Organizing in Nigeria. INITIATED by Privileged Young Adults with education & exposure, yet are tired of the absence of basic things they see abroad. Their Generation has never experienced "the Good" of this Country.
Protests was the most effective post 1999 Community Organizing in Nigeria. INITIATED by Privileged Young Adults with education & exposure, yet are tired of the absence of basic things they see abroad. Their Generation has never experienced "the Good" of this Country.
Other Nigerians many of whom are already disgruntled with the status quo saw the #EndSARS Protests as a Ray of Hope & a platform for the expression of their angst against the Establishment hence they started funding the machinery & providing backend support for the Protests
Protests as a Ray of Hope & a platform for the expression of their angst against the Establishment hence they started funding the machinery & providing backend support for the Protests
The #EndSARS Protests then took a life of its own. Grew organically nationwide without leveraging any existing structures. Citizens, with Courage & Disobedience dared, challenged & brought out Governors from their Offices. Nigerians felt like for once, we were winning something
Protests then took a life of its own. Grew organically nationwide without leveraging any existing structures. Citizens, with Courage & Disobedience dared, challenged & brought out Governors from their Offices. Nigerians felt like for once, we were winning something
With N147m raised in 2weeks, the #EndSARS Protests were excellently coordinated, pockets of movements across the Nation had no Leaders nor Reps who could be threatened/bribed, the Youth had specific requests, the Intiators demonstrated leadership & accountability, it was surreal
Protests were excellently coordinated, pockets of movements across the Nation had no Leaders nor Reps who could be threatened/bribed, the Youth had specific requests, the Intiators demonstrated leadership & accountability, it was surreal
It was difficult to believe that there was no Mafia War Room where the whole plan was hatched & implemented. The International Community was paying attention. The Numbers doubled daily, the Youth were relentless. Government, The Political Elite & the Owners of Nigeria got rattled
They underestimated this Generation thinking it was Youthful Exuberance that'll fizzle out in few days. They underestimated the agonies & despondency of Citizens. They underestimated the staying Power of the Youth but this was beginning to seem like an imminent Revolution.
By Week 2, with so many gory Videos & Tales of Police Brutality shared by Victims & close allies, Fencists took Sides, scared that they may be beneficiaries of SARS' cruelties someday soon. Citizens were seen confronting our Ambassadors in Embassies abroad. Children of Anger 
While all these were ongoing, some devious politicians made plans to infiltrate & hijack the Protests with thugs to tackle their Political Enemies. They had subtle PR & gradually divided the Young People with messaging. That was the beginning of the #EndSARS distractions.
distractions.
And Youth should NEVER deal with the Mafia with a Youth Mindset. Beating them to their own Game requires Focus, Strategy & Unpredictability. NEVER LET THEM SEE YOU COMING.
You think they don't see that this is Political Power we've built. You think they want to quit the Stage?
You think they don't see that this is Political Power we've built. You think they want to quit the Stage?
I'm deeply sorry for the Families & Loved ones of all the innocent young people we lost. May they rest in Power & we must immortalize their memories but the #EndSARS Killings were not Ordinary. They point to the Politics of 2023. They were Loud Statements from side to side.
Killings were not Ordinary. They point to the Politics of 2023. They were Loud Statements from side to side.
What to do now? Agonize a bit because we're humans. Begin to Organize. Take over Political "Systems". We need Structures to win in a complex Nation of over 200m People with various tribes & cultures. A new Party set up today won't make a dent on 2023 Elections. This is not France
Youth should run to be Councillors, LG Chairmen & House of Assembly Members. The Legitimacy & Power of the Leaders at the Top come from those at the Bottom. Fix little things to get your constituency's endorsement for higher Office. Invest in & set up Media Platforms. Raise Money
The #EndSARS Protest was a huge success. It had so many Wins & there is an unprecedented Political Consciousness amongst Young People today than was last Month. Are we going turn that Fire into something Significant? If you leave Nigeria now, you may lose your Shot at History.
Protest was a huge success. It had so many Wins & there is an unprecedented Political Consciousness amongst Young People today than was last Month. Are we going turn that Fire into something Significant? If you leave Nigeria now, you may lose your Shot at History.
Congratulations to @feminist_co
You became the Heart & Soul of a Great Nation overnight.
Welldone to our Citizens who stayed Resolute on the Streets.
No be Stone, Na Beans, One day E go done.
To our Governments, Shebi we go meet for Corner?
My Regards,
Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji
You became the Heart & Soul of a Great Nation overnight.
Welldone to our Citizens who stayed Resolute on the Streets.
No be Stone, Na Beans, One day E go done.
To our Governments, Shebi we go meet for Corner?
My Regards,
Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji
