In a recent development that has sparked outrage and disappointment, over 400 Nigerian women were allegedly abandoned after being hired by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to participate in a counter-protest rally. This rally was intended to oppose the planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. The women, promised palliatives in the form of 50kg bags of rice, were left empty-handed and stranded in Abuja.
The incident came to light through a report by SaharaReporters, which detailed the plight of the women who had been mobilized from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across the country. According to the report, influential women leaders within the APC had issued a circular to these NGOs, instructing them to gather 50 women each for the rally at Eagle Square, Abuja. The circular promised palliative distribution and transport logistics as incentives for participation.
Esther Adelana, a member of the African Youth Union Commission, shared the circular with SaharaReporters. It read: “URGENT: Good day distinguished young active citizens, please if you are in Abuja and can make your way to Eagle Square tomorrow Saturday 9am for palliative distribution by one of our partner accompanied with transport logistics. We need fifty young women.”
Contrary to the promises made, the women, upon arriving at Eagle Square, were instead given banners bearing the message, “Say No To Protest”. They were instructed to pose with these banners, effectively making it appear as though they were against the planned nationwide protest. Once the photo-op was completed, the women were left without the promised bags of rice, food, or even transport fare to return home.
In several viral videos, some of the women expressed their frustration and betrayal. One woman stated, “We were deceived into coming to Abuja for an empowerment rally only to be given placards for ‘Say No To Protest’. They didn’t give us water to drink, no food, no money. They left us stranded.”
Another woman added, “We were called by Tinubu that we would be empowered to oppose the planned protest. We came and we were abandoned in Abuja.”
This incident is not an isolated case but rather a reflection of a larger pattern of political manipulation and exploitation. The planned #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, which the APC sought to counter, aims to address the pervasive issues of corruption, poor governance, and socio-economic hardship in the country. The rallying cry of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria has resonated with many Nigerians who are frustrated with the current state of affairs.
The revelation of the abandonment has led to public outcry, with many Nigerians condemning the actions of the APC and calling for accountability. The incident has further fueled the narrative of distrust and dissatisfaction with the government, particularly regarding its treatment of ordinary citizens.
This episode underscores the urgent need for transparency and integrity in political processes. It also highlights the importance of empowering citizens genuinely rather than exploiting their vulnerabilities for political gain. As the nation continues to grapple with issues of governance and socio-economic challenges, the voices of its people, especially those who are marginalized and often unheard, must be respected and amplified.
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