Protest Is Not Enough – Seun Kuti
Wisdom Tide
11/09/2024
Nigerian musician and social activist, Seun Kuti, has urged Nigerians to go beyond mere protests and actively work towards meaningful societal change. His call follows the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, which were sparked by widespread dissatisfaction with the growing hardship in the country.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds show, Kuti emphasized that protests are only the beginning of a broader struggle and must be accompanied by greater efforts to achieve long-lasting reform.
Protest as the Beginning, Not the End
During his appearance on Rubbin’ Minds, Kuti shared his perspective on the limitations of protest, likening it to a child complaining to a parent. "Protest, to me, is like a child going to a loving parent and saying, ‘Daddy, mummy, I don’t want to eat this,’" he explained. "But in our case, the authorities we protest against don’t care. That’s why I don’t only advocate for protests; I advocate for mass organization."
For Kuti, protests are merely "the beginning of the dance," a necessary but insufficient step in the pursuit of change. He believes that without collective action and strategic organization, protests will not yield the desired results.
The Need for Mass Organization
Kuti’s central argument is that protests should be accompanied by a larger, well-structured movement. He emphasized that real change can only occur when people come together, organize themselves, and build power from within. "We, the people, must organize ourselves for power," Kuti stated, stressing the importance of collective action in confronting systemic challenges.
According to the activist, organizing for power requires sustained efforts that go beyond the streets. It involves engaging with communities, building solidarity, and creating alternative systems that challenge the status quo. For Kuti, the future of Nigeria depends on the people’s ability to take control of their destiny by uniting around a common cause and acting strategically to achieve their goals.
A Call for Greater Involvement
Kuti’s message is a call to action for Nigerians to move beyond temporary expressions of frustration and toward a sustained movement for change. He believes that without such a shift in focus, the challenges facing the nation will remain unresolved. In his view, the key to success lies in the people’s willingness to organize, strategize, and build power from the ground up.
Seun Kuti’s stance reflects a broader perspective on activism that emphasizes the importance of grassroots movements and long-term commitment. While protests can draw attention to pressing issues, Kuti argues that real change will only come when Nigerians are willing to go beyond the streets and actively work towards a more just and equitable society.
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