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From Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, Abuja
Former presidential candidate and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has argued that the right to protest should not be a call for change of government.
Olawepo-Hashim noted that protest, by any group of Nigerians or individuals concerning any situation was an essential part of citizens’ freedom of expression as enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution in so far as such rights were expressed peacefully without infringing on the rights of others.
In a statement released by his media office in Abuja, yesterday, he maintained that there “are legitimate grounds for the Nigerian people to protest the prevailing economic situation and myriad of challenges not currently addressed satisfactorily. Nigerians did protest in robust manners even under military rule.
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“What the government needs to do is to address the issues with utmost sincerity; it is time for an honest introspection.”
He added: “However, any group of people allegedly plotting regime change under the cover of protest would be engaged in treason, and where credible evidence exists, would be answerable to the law.
“We are a democracy; one that some of us suffered dearly to establish. Though our democracy may be slow to produce positive results for our people, we must resist the temptation and seduction of unconstitutional change, which in our immediate past has produced horrible outcomes.”
He urged Nigerians to “work harder to make our democracy produce more positive results.”
