Nigerian comedian and former Big Brother Naija contestant, DeeOne, has sparked debate after claiming that the majority of protests in Nigeria are politically motivated.
Speaking on Vanguard’s podcast on April 21, 2026, DeeOne alleged that “about 90 per cent of protests in Nigeria are politically sponsored,” arguing that many demonstrations are driven by powerful interests rather than solely by citizens’ grievances. He suggested that politicians often operate behind the scenes, funding or backing protest movements to advance specific agendas or undermine political opponents.
According to DeeOne, this trend makes it difficult for Nigerians to distinguish between genuine grassroots protests and those orchestrated for political gain. “There’s always an agenda behind most of them,” he said.
His remarks have triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians supporting his claim, while others strongly disagreed. One user, @NaijaCitizenX, countered: “Saying 90% of protests are sponsored is wild. People are hungry, frustrated and tired. Not everything is politics.”
The debate comes amid Nigeria’s history of protest movements, including the #EndSARS demonstrations in 2020, which began as a youth-led campaign against police brutality before evolving into broader calls for governance reforms. While some protests have been linked to political interests, others have emerged organically from public dissatisfaction over economic hardship, insecurity, and corruption.
DeeOne’s comments highlight ongoing concerns about the manipulation of civil activism in Nigeria, as well as the challenges citizens face in discerning the authenticity of public demonstrations.
