November 28, 2024
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has underscored the responsibility of the elite in driving structural reforms while emphasising the need for political action to achieve tangible outcomes beyond protests.
Speaking during his keynote address at the Technology, New Media, Citizens, and Governance Conference (TNCG) in Lagos on Thursday, Osinbajo called for strategic and result-oriented approaches to societal challenges.
“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,” Osinbajo stated, highlighting the socio-economic impact of protests on informal workers who depend on daily earnings.
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Addressing the elite’s pivotal role in effecting meaningful change, he said, “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.”
Osinbajo also examined the dual-edged role of technology and social media in political mobilisation.
While acknowledging its capacity for leaderless coordination, he warned of the pitfalls of lacking clear objectives or leadership.
“A major advantage of technology, and in particular social media, in mobilising protesters is that the coordination of action can take place without any apparent leadership,” he noted.
“However, if there is no achievable end, the effort may lack direction,” Osinbajo said.
The TNCG Conference remains a platform for exploring the intersection of technology, governance, and citizen engagement, bringing together key stakeholders and thought leaders.
