Bad Governance, Citizens’ Resistance and State Repression: A Study of the #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance Protests in Nigeria

Abstract

The symbiotic relationship between the state and citizens presupposes that the former is responsible for providing security, maintaining law and order, and ensuring the welfare of the latter. Yet, recurring years of failed promises, bad governance and economic hardship have led to citizens’ distrust of government, sparking some resistance from citizens in Nigeria.  The dissent by citizens against bad governance and economic hardship is further met by state repression. This study relied on a mixed methodology and adopted the neo-Marxist theory of the state to interrogate the dynamics of State repression and citizens’ resistance in Nigeria. The popular uprisings of #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protests are used as veritable instances. The study established that the #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernabce protests in 2020 and 2024 respectively, emerged as a significant form of citizens’ resistance against bad governance, police brutality and state repression in Nigeria. The government’s response, including the use of force against protesters, drew international condemnation and raised concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Nigeria. The study also concludes that the persistent use of repressive measures by the state has had profound implications for Nigeria’s democracy, development, and national security. It was recommended among others that there is a need for more democratic and non-repressive approaches to conflict resolution, citizens’ concerns and governance.