Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has emphasized the need for political action to move beyond protests and deliver measurable outcomes, particularly in impoverished communities.
Speaking at the Technology, New Media, Citizens, and Governance Conference in Lagos on Thursday, he highlighted the importance of ensuring that political movements result in tangible changes, rather than just providing temporary euphoria.
Osinbajo pointed out that protests often have significant socio-economic consequences, particularly for informal workers and traders who depend on daily earnings, according to Daily Post.
“Political action must go beyond protest and the euphoria that it brings. It must lead to some measurable or tangible result, otherwise it becomes counterproductive,” he said.
He argued that for political action to be effective, it must lead to concrete, achievable results to avoid becoming counterproductive.
The former Vice-President also addressed the role of the elite in driving political change.
He stressed that the elite have the resources and networks needed to craft clear political objectives and build coalitions that can lead to structural reforms. These efforts, according to Osinbajo, are critical in bringing about meaningful and lasting change in society.
In his remarks on the role of technology and social media in political movements, Osinbajo acknowledged the power of these platforms in enabling leaderless coordination. However, he warned that without clear objectives or leadership, such movements could lack direction and fail to achieve meaningful outcomes. He stressed that the success of political action depends on having a clear goal to guide efforts.
“The role of the elite in political action is crucial. When I say the elite in this room, I speak of us, of civil society.
” The elite have the facilities to craft the objectives of political action or to clearly articulate the grievance and what would amount to success in the particular political action.
“They have the networks and the resources to build coalitions for political change, often leading to structural reforms; the type of change that makes a real difference,” the ex-VP noted.
