A former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Sam Amadi, has said that protests in Nigeria are losing their relevance, alleging that many demonstrators are hired to participate.
Amadi made the remarks on Monday via his verified X handle while reacting to recent protests against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
He wrote: “Protest in Nigeria is becoming useless, whether for or against government. Protesters are mostly hired. Even when NGOs protest, they hire protesters.
“Then who is invested in protecting public good if we must pay people to express dissent? There is a collapse of common good today.”
His comments come amid heightened tensions at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja on Monday, where protesters gathered over El-Rufai’s invitation by the commission.
Protesters were seen carrying placards and banners with inscriptions such as, “El-Rufai cannot hide behind politics. Let the law catch up.”
Earlier on Monday, tensions reportedly escalated at the EFCC premises as protesters, including El-Rufai’s supporters, clashed with security operatives.
Tear gas was said to have been deployed to disperse the crowd.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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