‘Peaceful Protest Can Be Used To Emphasize Regime Change’

Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has stated that some politicians can hijack a peaceful protest to demand a regime change.

Naija News reports that the Senator representing Edo North mentioned this in response to protests organized by the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement, which sought the removal of President Bola Tinubu’s administration due to the prevailing hardships in the nation.

Oshiomhole, who asserted that Nigeria would not entertain any form of regime or military takeover, emphasized that it is unfeasible for an unidentified group to call for a change in government.

During his appearance on the Arise News Morning Show, the prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) remarked, “There is no room for regime change or military takeover. It’s impossible for an amorphous group to demand regime change.

“I commend Tinubu’s patience and the way he addressed those issues. He said I have listened and heard you, but I would like to see the commissioning of industries because this will tackle hunger.

“At no time did I call for a regime change of government during my protest days; now I see politicians trying to hijack these protests.

“A peaceful protest can be used to emphasize regime change.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has claimed that those condemning President Bola Tinubu’s speech on the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest have nefarious intentions.

Recall that Tinubu’s speech was greeted with heavy backlash, as some political stakeholders claimed that he failed to address critical issues.

Prominent amongst persons who have knocked the president for the address are Noble Laureate, Wole Soyinka, Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dele Momodu, a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, among others.

Reacting to the criticism via his X handle on Tuesday, Keyamo claimed that the critics intended to force the President to negotiate power with them.

According to him, “Even if Mr President @officialABAT redrafts his wonderful speech one million times over, those with nefarious intentions will continue to pooh-pooh it in order to justify their continued instigation of mayhem.

“Their real intention is to force the hand of Mr President to negotiate power with them. It is as simple as that. The fall guys are the ignorant, but patriotic compatriots on social media screaming their heads off and the robbers and hoodlums that are rampaging on the streets.”

The minister, however, added, “Behind all these facades is a complex chess game of power with unseen hands.”