Dare Babalola
Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, has expressed concerns that protests in Nigeria are diminishing in effectiveness, alleging that a significant number of participants are hired.
Amadi made the comments on his verified X handle on Monday, 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.”
Protesters from the Mega National Movement for Good Governance gathered at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters on Monday, chanting and holding placards that read “Answer The Charges El-Rufai” and “El-Rufai Not Above The Law”, demanding accountability over the alleged N432 billion corruption case.
The protesters, in a tense standoff, tried to breach the EFCC gates, but were blocked by security personnel stationed at the entrance.
Speaking to journalists, the group’s spokesman Muhammad Abdullahi emphasised that the corruption allegations against El-Rufai should not be downplayed or politicised.
He said, “We reiterate its firm position that the ongoing prosecution of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, remains a lawful and constitutional matter strictly between him and the Government of Kaduna State. This issue should not be reduced to a mere political drama or emotional manipulation.
“It is a question of accountability and stewardship of public trust. The Kaduna State House of Assembly Ad-Hoc Committee Report (2024) raised serious concerns regarding financial management, public debt profile, and contract procedures under the previous administration.
“It is also a matter of public record that some former appointees and close allies—including Jafaru Sani, Jimmy Lawal, Bashir Saidu, and Samuel Aruwa—are already in custody or undergoing investigation in connection with these allegations.”
