Beyond the 2023 Elections: What Next For Change-Seeking Nigerians? скачать в хорошем качестве

Beyond the 2023 Elections: What Next For Change-Seeking Nigerians?

For many young activists who aspire for radical change in Nigeria, recent years have featured a mix of momentary euphoria and crushing disappointment. Energetic street demonstrations and vibrant electoral campaigns have shown a yearning for a ‘new Nigeria’, among an emerging bloc of young activists and workers. This was epitomized in protests in 2020 and the surge of interest among sections of youth and labor movements ahead of the 2023 election campaign. However, these soaring hopes were repeatedly dashed against the rocks of political reality with the retreat of young activists following the suppression of protests in 2020, and the low turnout and disputed results of the 2023 election. The possibility of a more humane and prosperous future for change-seeking Nigerians appears increasingly dimmed. Yet the desire for radical and urgent transformation that has united a new bloc of young activists and workers is itself a silver lining at these uncertain moments. Calls for a ‘new Nigeria’ have inspired a wide spectrum of youth activists and workers. They have broadened a coalition of Nigerian youth, radical civil society, and unionists that have played an important role at historical turning points in Nigeria. Nonetheless, important differences of perspective persist across these constituencies about which pathways to a ‘new Nigeria’ are viable. A diverse movement of young activists and workers also articulates conflictual visions of what Nigeria’s re-birth would entail. On 30 September, Africa Is a Country hosted a discussion to reflect both on the lessons from recent setbacks and explore minimum goals to advance a shared vision for civic and youth leaders. Panelists included Serah Ibrahim (an #EndSARS and Labour Party activist), Juwon Sanyaolu (the Director of the Take It Back Movement), and Owei Lakemfa, (the Secretary General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity). The discussion was chaired by Sa'eed Husaini, a research fellow at the Center for Democracy and Development in Abuja, Nigeria, and a contributing editor for Africa Is a Country. #endsars #naija #nigeria #peterobi #obidient #nigerianyouth