SYMBOLISM OF OMOYELE SOWORE’S “REVOLUTION NOW” MARCH PROTEST TO NIGERIA’S DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

Abstract

This paper examines how Omoyele Sowore, a political activist, used the “revolution now” March protest on Monday, August 5, 2019, to raise alarm of insecurity and bad governance in Nigeria under the Buhari government. The issue raised in the protest was a message and symbol that drew public and global attention and hugged the headlines. More so, the protesters really wanted to invoke fears in Buhari’s government, so that they will sit up; not necessary to unseat the Buhari government. The protesters wanted those in Aso Rock, the seat of power of Nigeria’s democracy to do the needful and ensure that governance becomes about security and welfare of the people as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria. Unfortunately, by arresting the arrow head of the “revolution now” by name Sowore, the government had alluringly walked into their trap, by making Omoyele Sowore a hero for fighting the right of the masses for survival in Nigeria under the Buhari government. The paper argued that the right of every Nigerian to hold a peaceful protest must be respected. In such protests, the security agents must be on the side of the people and not the government in power as it is done in other civilized clime and in a true democracy. The study adopted the descriptive methodology. It drew upon primary and secondary sources. Primary sources include oral information and testimonies. Secondary sources include newspapers, magazines, government publications and relevant books, the research also made use of direct observation method. All the information so gathered were subjected to historical evaluation.