Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has sharply criticised the demands for regime change being voiced by some protesters, claiming that they are using the ongoing hunger protests as a pretext for their political agenda.
Oshiomhole, a serving senator, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, argued that while the protests initially focused on legitimate concerns about hunger and economic hardship, they have been hijacked by individuals pushing for an overhaul of the government.
With a history of participating in protests both in public and private sectors, he stressed that any push for regime change must adhere to constitutional processes and be pursued through elections.
“I did say that let nobody talk about peaceful protest. Whereas I recognise the right to peaceful protest, which I exploited, enjoyed and praticalised, I also said when you exercise that right to protest, you must also look at the demands and I have looked at it and my take away from it is a lot of these guys are only hiding under hunger. What they are actually asking for is regime change and I said you cannot legally, lawfully and peacefully demand regime change under the Nigerian constitution.
“On the day before the protest, I saw many people calling for peaceful protests, emphasising that the constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest. I have led so many protests, both in the public and the private sector, national level. It must be clear to everybody that the only way to effect a change of government is to go through an election as provided for in the constitution. There is no room for regime change, no room for military takeover of government in Nigeria.
“The issue is not about if there is hunger. The issue is that the people used what the people can feel. At no time in my protest history did I demand regime change. I emphasised regime change because I know the logic. These people, I don’t know them. Who are those who want to take back Nigeria from Nigeria? The business of governance is not a tea party.”
The former APC National Chairman also addressed criticism directed at political figures such as Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate who has been vocal in recent protests.
He asserted that Sowore is the wrong person to push for the protest as he would be misunderstood as acting out of the “grievances of his defeat” in the 2023 presidential election.
“I know Sowore as a defeated presidential candidate and when you are defeated, you give it time. I think he became one of the authoritative online publishers. In my view, he was at his best. But once he dragged himself into politics and contested elections, he has become a politician. So, Sowore cannot be seen speaking because people will see him as still nursing the grievances of his defeat. That is not the guy to speak for those in Kano, those who throw bombs in Maiduguri and so on.”
Oshimhole’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in the nationwide protest movement, which has seen violent clashes in cities like Kano and Kaduna.
The unrest has led to significant loss of life and disruption, prompting questions of the motives of some of the protesters.
Chioma Kalu
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