Protests Losing Relevance, Many Demonstrators Hired – Amadi

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, has said protests in Nigeria are gradually losing their relevance, alleging that many demonstrators are hired to participate in rallies.

Naija News reports that Amadi made the remark on Monday via his verified 𝕏 handle while reacting to recent protests against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

In his post, the former regulator expressed concern over what he described as a growing culture of monetised dissent.

“Protest in Nigeria is becoming useless, whether for or against government. Protesters are mostly hired. Even when NGOs protest, they hire protesters,” he wrote.

He questioned the sincerity of civic engagement in the country, asking, “Then who is invested in protecting public good if we must pay people to express dissent? There is a collapse of common good today.”

Amadi’s comments come amid heightened tensions at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja on Monday, where protesters gathered over El-Rufai’s invitation by the anti-graft agency.

Demonstrators were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as, “El-Rufai cannot hide behind politics. Let the law catch up.”

Earlier in the day, tensions reportedly escalated at the EFCC premises as protesters, including supporters of the former governor, clashed with security operatives.

Tear gas was said to have been deployed to disperse the crowd as security officials attempted to restore order around the commission’s headquarters.