Oshiomhole: Police Provide Sachet Water Amid Protests

Oshiomhole comments on police giving sachet water to protesters, stating that resisting rallies is a responsibility. Read more about his stance.

Adams Oshiomhole, the Senator who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has stated that it is an uneasy duty for police to repel demonstrators.

He said on Channels Television’s The August Protests show that it is quite burdensome for the police to continuously face resistance in protests across the globe. Is there any place left where they haven’t encountered such a situation?

Sometimes, as the leader of workers, I possessed an antidote to tear gas. In instances where we were tear-gassed during protests, we retaliated by throwing it back at them.

When questioned about his stance regarding instances where police have tear-gassed protesters in various Nigerian cities since Thursday, the ex-governor of Edo noted that protests are not casual events and security agencies may need to employ alternative measures to counteract protestors.

In the case where law enforcement suspects that it may become necessary to eliminate or terminate an individual, they might be compelled to employ such measures. Engaging in protests involves serious contention and is not a scenario for leisurely socializing.

He said, “I did not celebrate that act but I witnessed a police commissioner in a state providing water instead of tear gas to peaceful protesters.”

The former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president praised the police for their “civil” behavior during the third day of #EndBadGovernance protests, noting that they provided sachet water to peaceful demonstrators in states such as Lagos.

“Their current response is not what matters, but it should be acknowledged that under this IG’s leadership the police have generally been quite civil,” he commented.

He criticized the requests from unspecified groups who refused to accept the outcome of the 2023 presidential election and participated in protests against poverty and financial difficulties.

According to him, since Nigeria is not being occupied by a foreign power, the protesters cannot discuss reclaiming the country.

Regime change is desired by certain individuals. However, it cannot be requested in a peaceful manner, as the Constitution prohibits making demands that violate its provisions.

According to him, the sole valid course of action for those who have been defeated in an election is to abide by the constitution and wait until the next round of elections. Until then, they are powerless and any attempt at circumventing this process will result in difficulties.