What If Mohammed Bouzizi Were Nigerian? Exploring the Global Echoes

The phenomenon now referred to as the "Arab Spring" began with an extraordinary act performed by a single individual: Mohamed Bouazizi, a young Tunisian street vendor who set himself on fire due to relentless persecution from government officials. Had someone informed Mohamed Bouazizi earlier that day about how his spontaneous gesture might trigger a massive uprising capable of toppling longstanding governments across multiple nations including Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Algeria, and others within the region, he probably would have reacted with skepticism or laughter. Sadly yet inevitably, this unforeseen event unfolded precisely like that. This exemplifies a common characteristic shared among revolutions globally; they emerge unpredictably rather than being premeditated plans. Once initiated, these movements prove unstoppable until their intended outcomes materialize. These uprisings often stem from prolonged grievances festering beneath society’s surface until reaching critical mass. In retrospect, it should be noted that Bouazizi’s protest alone was insufficient to catalyze such seismic political shifts without underlying discontent permeating throughout much of Tunisia against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s administration which had held sway for more than twenty years. Many citizens felt utterly exhausted by corruption and oppression under his rule.

As soon as the populace united, even the complete might of Tunisia’s armed forces couldn’t halt them. An Igbo proverb echoes this sentiment: "If one person prepares food for everyone, they all partake; yet if everyone prepares food for just one individual, he won’t manage to eat it." Could the solitary act of Mohamed Bouazizi sparking widespread anger across Tunisia have occurred similarly in Nigeria? Absolutely not! Several elements contribute to this difference. Primarily, ethnic and religious divisions deeply fragment Nigerians. Political leaders exploit these divides effectively, using them to maintain control. Often, certain regions feel a collective responsibility to shield their members. For most Nigerians, leadership roles seem like a rotational system where each group takes turns occupying positions. Consequently, many citizens rally around those who represent their interests, defending them staunchly until the end.

For these individuals, it does not concern them whether said political figure meets the expectations of their position. A belief persists that some believe Nigerians tend to adore those who oppress them, provided they share similar backgrounds! This essentially implies that Nigerians might initially assess someone like Mohamed Bouazizi based on religion or ethnicity before reacting. Politicians could then promptly frame the situation along communal lines. However, Tunisians managed to unify against Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s authoritarian rule due to each individual identifying primarily with being Tunisian.

No one cared about the background or beliefs of Mohammed Bouazizi. However, Nigerians prioritize their loyalty to their ethnic group above all else. Rather than expressing widespread anger over such incidents, they might dissect the circumstances surrounding them and absolve the authorities instead. Indeed, any demonstration likely would prompt another movement aimed at countering those protests. That reflects just how oddly particular Nigerians tend to be. A country torn internally like this struggles to unite against external pressures. Additionally, Nigerians exhibit remarkable flexibility; most citizens adjust effortlessly regardless of tough conditions. Describing them merely as adaptable up until passivity seems fitting enough. Under extreme pressure, rather than confronting obstacles head-on, a common response among Nigerians involves finding ways around problems. There were instances previously—like some individuals leaping into the Lagos Lagoon due to financial distress—which didn’t spark significant uproar. Many continue grappling with memories from the violent confrontations near tollgates during the #EndSARS Protests. Numerous tragedies similar to Bouazizi’s passed without much notice beyond providing material for social media posts. Generally speaking, ordinary Nigerians typically do not take serious actions regarding important concerns unless directly affecting daily life. Consequently, it remains implausible that personal acts of desperation, including self-harm, could ignite nationwide fury since these events remain rare occurrences deemed exceptional rather than routine affairs. Reflections upon the aftermath of the #EndSARS demonstrations come readily to mind here too.

A contributing element to consider here is ignorance. Many Nigerians remain unaware of their citizenry rights. Willful ignorance permeates Nigerian society, enabling officials in governance to act with impunity. This obliviousness isn’t confined to less-educated individuals; it also affects highly educated ones. The absence of public consciousness serves as an additional tool exploited by politicians at the expense of ordinary citizens. In Nigeria, there exists a prevailing notion that the populace stands little chance against the government when contesting issues. Yet, this mindset stems solely from ignorance since historically, governments have often faltered under mass opposition. Individuals failing to study past events tend to perpetuate them. While it’s accurate that significant upheaval might not occur in Nigeria owing to several aforementioned reasons, it remains crucial for political leaders to draw lessons from historical instances such as Nicolae Ceaușescu’s rule over Romania. From 1967 through 1989, his authoritarian grip seemed unbreakable until societal unrest erupted suddenly. His downfall underscores how collective strength surpasses individual authority. The key emphasis ought to lie in preventing circumstances necessitating drastic measures like violence within Nigeria. For instance, Tunisia endured two decades of relative compliance prior to a pivotal event involving Mohamed Bouazizi which sparked transformative action. Hence, incumbent authorities must proceed cautiously recognizing that influence waxes and wanes across time.

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Political leadership ought to serve the public welfare rather than personal ambition. No single person should become overly self-satisfied due to their position. The populace should always be central to governing practices. Therefore, leaders must consistently demonstrate accountability. Mutual understanding between those who govern and those being governed benefits everyone involved. This holds true since constructing a nation requires collaborative effort from all citizens.

Okpara, a journalism student at the International Institute of Journalism, contributes from Abuja via emyokparaoo1@gmail.com* Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).