Occupy!!! An English word that means “to take and fill up” or “to take possession and control”, has been used to stare a movement to freedom. “Occupy” is an international protest movement which is primarily directed against economic and social inequality. The recent organised protest against the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria did not happen by accident. The Occupy protests had taken place in over 95 cities across 82 countries, and over 600 communities in the United States.
The phrase “The 99%” is a political slogan used by protesters of the Occupy movement. It refers to the concentration of wealth among the top 1% of income earners compared to the other 99 percent. This has been the reality in the socio-political sphere in Nigeria and many African nations. The poor continues to suffer while the elites live in perpetual enjoyment.
Occupy Nigeria protest is currently having strong presence in the southwestern parts of the country, and many hope that this protest will subject the Nigerian government to revoke its decision on subsidy removal. However, Nigerians need to manage their expectations properly, and needs to define clear goals for the protest.
The Occupy movement which started as an anarchist movement is horizontal and a leaderless movement, and there is a need to define what direction the protest is going with clear leadership; which will guide excesses that might occure during protest. This protest is meant to challenge the status quo of inequality and insincerity of the ruling class, so it should not create a greater challenge, or encourage a protest that will degenerate into a state of anarchy.