Right to Protest is Sacronsant, But Regime Change Plot is Treason, Says Gbenga Hashim 

Former presidential candidate, Mr. Gbenga Hashim, has argued that the right to protest by any group of Nigerians or individuals concerning any situation is an essential part of the citizens’ freedom of expression provided for in the Nigerian Constitution in so far as such rights are expressed peacefully without infringing on the rights of others. 

In a statement by his media department, Mr. Hashim maintained that there “are legitimate grounds for Nigerian people to protest the prevailing economic situation and myriad of challenges not currently satisfactorily addressed, Nigerians did protest in robust manners even under military rule.”

According to him, “What government needs to do is to address the issues with utmost sincerity and it is time for an honest introspection.”

Hashim added that “however, any group of people allegedly plotting extra-constitutional regime change under the cover of protest would be engaging 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 out comes.”

He maintained that “let us work instead harder to make our democracy produce more positive results, adding that God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!”