Chris Olukolade: Kenya anti-tax protest a wrong model for Nigeria

Chris Olukolade, a retired major general and former director of defence information, says “destructive protests” should be discouraged in Nigeria.

On June 18, young Kenyans commenced a protest against a controversial tax bill.

The protest took a violent turn on June 25, culminating in the desecration and torching of government buildings, vandalisation of public infrastructure, looting of grocery stores and deaths.

Olukolade, who is the board chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), said the organisation conducted a comprehensive assessment of the performance of Nigeria’s security services based on media coverage in June.

“The leading authority in crisis management expressed concern over the restiveness and escalating tension in some states, warning that it could lead to conflict and exacerbate current security challenges,” he said during a press briefing in Abuja.

Olukolade highlighted potentially volatile developments, including the ongoing minimum wage dispute between the government and organised labour, and listed the political feud in Rivers state, the emirship tussle in Kano and similar scenarios in other states.

Reacting to calls on social media urging Nigerians to replicate the Kenya mass protest, Olukolade declared the centre’s opposition to such suggestions.

“CCC is concerned about the antics of those rooting for re-enacting of the anti-tax crisis in Kenya,” he added.

“Those who believe destructive protests will be a way to resolve a crisis are rather calling for what is not consistent with our future and desire for a peaceful and progressive nation.

“We reiterate that we are strongly against such actions. We want to caution against such tendencies and advise that the situation in Nigeria can be better managed with good consensus, discussions, and the necessary consultations.

“In other words, we are strongly against the idea of referring to the Kenya civil model. The outcome of the End SARS protests is still fresh in our minds, and it is not something we can re-enact by any other means.”

Yushau Shuaib, a CCC consultant, commended media outlets for objectivity in their reporting.

He also emphasised the crucial role of responsible media in shaping public perception and curtailing crisis.