By Steven Kefas
(Jos) In the leafy metropolis of Jos, thought by some to be Nigeria’s Christian capital, a crowd gathered to stand with the “End Bad Governance” mass protest unfolding in 30 other Nigerian cities simultaneously. At the forefront stood Prophet Dr. Isa El-Buba, a firebrand clergyman known for his outspoken criticism of government policies. El-Buba’s impassioned oratory echoed through the streets of Jos, rallying protesters with a message that framed the demonstration as nothing short of a battle for Nigeria’s soul.
“I want you to know, it’s a fight for the soul of Nigeria. It’s a fight for the soul of your future,” El-Buba said. “It’s a fight for the soul of your descendants,” he added, his voice carrying the weight of a nation’s discontent. “Every Nigerian that is going through pain knows that this is a fight.”
The prophet’s words resonated with a crowd of just over 100 that had braved not only the threat of government reprisal but also significant pressure from religious institutions. In a move that puzzled many observers, leaders of several churches had urged their faithful to abstain from the protests. This ecclesiastical intervention cast a shadow over the turnout, which was notably smaller than organizers had anticipated.
El-Buba pressed on, painting a vision of a Nigeria freed from the shackles of poor leadership. “We must end bad governance in Nigeria,” he declared. “When the right institutions are in place, there will be no more hunger in the land, the killings will stop, and our armed forces will enjoy their services to the people.”
The clergyman’s rhetoric tapped into a deep well of nostalgia for a bygone era of national unity. “We grew up in a nation where our tribe or religion didn’t matter—we were Nigerians first. Today, we are reclaiming that Nigeria,” El-Buba reminded the crowd, evoking memories of a time when government services and opportunities seemed more equitably distributed among citizens.
The protesters included Felix Dalung, a young graduate who joined the demonstration despite his father’s reprimand.
“My father, an elder in our church, told me not to join the protests in obedience to the directive of our church that we should not join the protests,” Dalung told TruthNigeria. “I disobeyed because I am also suffering. Having graduated from the university in 2020, I still cannot boast of a paying job.”
Dalung’s defiance spoke to a generational divide, with younger Nigerians increasingly willing to challenge traditional authority structures in their quest for change. His suspicions of collusion between religious institutions and the government highlighted the deep-seated mistrust that permeates Nigerian society.
“We are all victims of bad governance, but I cannot understand why the churches on the Plateau are against the protests,” Dalung said. “I suspect some foul play between the church and the same government that has put us in this precarious situation.”
The protest in Jos took on an additional layer of tension due to the conspicuous presence of military hardware on the city’s streets. Armored vehicles, deployed to maintain order, symbolized for some the state’s misplaced priorities.
Felisha Pam, a mother of two who joined the protest, expressed her bewilderment to see gun trucks at overpasses. “We are shocked to see these numbers of armored tanks and personnel carriers across the streets,” she said. “I cannot understand what is happening, because when my village Mongur was attacked few months ago, we didn’t see these tanks or armed personnel.”
Pam’s observation underscored a common grievance among residents of Plateau State, where violence and terrorist attacks have claimed thousands of lives in Plateau State alone. The apparent readiness of security forces to confront peaceful protesters, contrasted with their perceived absence during times of genuine danger, sparked resentment among some.
Food scarcity has been a problem for the nation’s poor since hyperinflation set in after the new president took office a year ago, but in recent months, working-class families across the nation started missing meals. The mood in Jos on Thursday morning was tense but nonviolent.
As the day wore on, the protesters’ resolve remained steadfast. El-Buba’s call for sustained action — “We are taking Nigeria back… Enough is enough” — echoed through the streets of Jos, a rallying cry for a movement that sees itself as fighting not just bad governance, but for the very future of the nation.
The Jos protests, while smaller in scale than organizers had hoped, nevertheless represented a significant moment in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with issues of governance, security, and national identity. The demonstrators’ willingness to challenge both state authority and edicts of vested clergy highlighted the deep frustration felt by many, particularly the youth.
As night fell on Jos, the armored vehicles remained, silent sentinels watching over streets that had echoed with calls for change. The “End Bad Governance” protest paused for the day, but the issues it brought to the fore — economic stagnation, insecurity, and the complex relationship between church and state — are expected to gain public protest for 9 more days. Organizers hope the historically unprecedented gatherings will force a range of concessions from the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including monetary policy, equitable law enforcement and government transparency.
For Americans observing from afar, the events in Jos offer a window into the multifaceted challenges facing Africa’s most populous nation. As Nigeria grapples with its internal divisions and the legacy of decades of misrule, the protests remind many that the aspirations for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are as deeply felt in West Africa as in North America.
Steven Kefas reports on terrorism and politics from Jos for TruthNigeria.
