By Korede Abdullah
ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – Professor Udenta O. Udenta, renowned scholar and political thinker, has weighed in on the recent #EndBadGovernance protests and the state of the nation. Udenta spoke via a statement titled “The End-Hunger Protests, State of the Nation, and Hon. Dogara’s Descent into the Infernal Regions,” made available to the media.
Core issues of the statement
In the statement, Prof. Udenta addressed three critical issues staring at the country menacingly like a festering sore thumb. The first issue has to do with the recent hunger protest, while the second issue borders on the state of the nation and the third one has to do with Honorable Yakubu Dogara’s incendiary statement.
The scholar described hunger as a widespread and relentless issue, affecting all segments of society except the privileged 10%. He sees the protests as a necessary response to the dire economic harsh conditions Nigerians are going through.
He painted a grim picture of the country’s situation, highlighting the need for urgent attention to address the suffering of the masses.
On the Hon. Yakubu Dogara’s Hate Speech, the professor condemned the former Speaker’s inflammatory statements, warning that they could incite violence and further divide the country.
A thought-provoking statement on Nigeria’s challenges
Prof. Udenta’s statement offers a thought-provoking analysis of Nigeria’s challenges and calls for collective action to address the pressing issues facing the nation.
He emphasised that hunger is ravaging the country like a wounded lion, and the recent “End Hunger” protests are a direct response to the widespread suffering of all but the wealthiest 10%.
“The end hunger protests is a child of compelling historical circumstances, a dialectical response to the excruciating material condition of not just the masses but virtually all societal strata with the exception of the 10 per cent”, he said
Urgent action to address hunger
He warned that unless urgent action is taken to address hunger, poverty, inflation, and high food prices, more intense protests can be expected. He quoted Karl Marx, cautioning that a time is coming when the working class will have nothing to lose but their chains, and that time is now in Nigeria.
He said that President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast fell short of societal expectations, but he deserves credit for acknowledging the people’s suffering and hearing their cries.
“President Bola Tinubu’s national broadest may not have met the expectations of large segments of society but give him credit for admitting that the people are hurting and he hears their cry, loud and clear.”, the statement said.
However he noted that if the Nigerians’ struggles persist with no relief in sight, social instability, mass protests, and regime criticism are expected to intensify, potentially leading to national divisions and unrest, regardless of efforts to contain them.
The famous don gave a cautionary note, citing the saying, “he or she who is already on the ground indeed fears no fall.”
Prof Udenta stated that peaceful, civil, and lawful mass protests are a constitutional right that safeguards democratic governance and human liberties.
He emphasised that well-organized protests strengthen democracy and civic spaces, and cannot be suppressed by state pressure if their goals are genuine and progressive.
He also urged protest organisers to respect the constitution, reject violence, and exclude anti-democratic elements to protect democracy from reactionary forces.
He said the Igbo people’s non-participation in the recent protests is an indication of protest against the Nigerian state, and this issue requires thorough examination and discussion.
He added that it is necessary to ensure the Igbo people continue to contribute significantly to the national conversation about Nigeria’s future direction and their place within it.
A clarion call
The don ended the statement with a lamentation of clarion call. He said that Nigeria is in trouble, with its foundational structures weakening due to colonial legacy and post-colonial misgovernance.
He said despite widespread suffering, Nigerians remain united by shared humanity and trauma. He therefore called for a functional constitution and responsive government that prioritizes human infrastructure and security.
The eminent scholar urged patriots to continue advocating for change, warning that if patience wears off, the consequences will be severe.
“The clarion call of all genuine Nigerian Patriots is that the governments the people hire should and must be responsive to their core needs built around the imperatives of empowering human infrastructure and ultimately human security.
This is not too much to ask for. But there is so much that Nigerian Patriots can take or endure. Many Patriots in our midst proudly wear their gloves which restrain their tongues and constrain their actions. I urge them to keep wearing them because once the gloves are off all bets are off too. And I hope and pray we do not get to that moment.”, he concluded.
