Nollywood star and politician Tonto Dikeh recently stirred up controversy by advising Nigerians to rethink their plans for a nationwide protest scheduled from August 1-10, 2024. She shared her thoughts on Instagram, acknowledging the widespread frustration and economic challenges Nigerians are currently facing, including soaring market prices. While recognizing the hardships experienced by many, she suggested that a nationwide protest might not be the most effective way to address these issues. Dikeh’s position stemmed from her experiences during the EndSARS protests, where she claimed that the movement was infiltrated by individuals with malicious intent, resulting in violence and loss of life. Instead of a protest, she proposed an alternative approach: establishing a representative group to engage in direct negotiations with President Bola Tinubu. She stressed the importance of seeking peaceful and diplomatic solutions to tackle the country’s economic challenges. Her Instagram caption read, “Sometimes we can be right, but our mode of expression is what matters. This is an honest plea to all Nigerian youths. Let’s make smart choices.” However, her suggestion has faced significant criticism from many Nigerians on social media, with some arguing that her call for dialogue is diverting attention from the immediate need for direct action. Concerns have been raised that the proposed representatives might be vulnerable to corruption and might fail to address the real issues affecting ordinary citizens.
