Fatshimetrie: Citizen Mobilization for Better Governance
This Friday, while the #EndBadGovernance movement called for protests across the country, the capital of Ekiti State, Ado-Ekiti, experienced a peaceful day, with no signs of mobilization. Indeed, Fajuyi Park, a usual gathering place for protests, remained deserted, giving way to calm and the absence of demonstrators.
The streets of the city remained quiet, open businesses maintained their usual activities and car traffic proceeded without hindrance, far from the agitation that one might have expected during a day of national protest.
When asked about this situation, several residents expressed their preference to stay at home, justifying their choice by the desire to preserve their meager resources for the days to come rather than spending them on street demonstrations with uncertain results.
This response, while disparate, raises questions about how citizens perceive the effectiveness of social mobilization and its impact on the current political landscape. While some prefer direct action and the visibility of public protests, others seem to favor more subtle and personal forms of engagement.
Ultimately, this day without mobilization in Ado-Ekiti invites us to reflect on the many faces of civic engagement and the different strategies for making one’s voice heard in a complex and often disillusioned political context. While the fight for better governance remains a crucial issue for many Nigerians, the debate over the most effective means to achieve it is far from over.
In the meantime, Ado-Ekiti rests on this day of mobilization, leaving the mystery of what its citizens might do next to advance their fight for better governance.