A group of June 12 protesters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to concentrate on governance or resign from office.
The protesters, who identified themselves as members of the Take-It-Back Movement associated with activist Omoyele Sowore, were reported to have staged the demonstration near the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.
They shouted anti-government slogans, venting their frustration at economic hardship, insecurity and the state’s long-running political crisis.
The Take-It-Back Movement had declared June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, as a national protest day against insecurity and economic hardship.
In a video from the Port Harcourt protest, one of the protesters, whose profile name read “Certified Courtist,” addressed Fubara directly.
My personal address is to the Rivers State Government, and to Governor Fubara. “You people should help us pass our message to Governor Fubara that those of us that stood against oppression in this state are disappointed in him and we expected more from him as governor even though he said he’s no longer interested in 2027,” the protester said.
“Nothing is happening in Rivers”
The protester alleged Fubara had not lived up to public expectations despite the help he had received during the state’s political crisis.
He said: “Oga, you have one year to work for the Rivers people. “Nothing is going on in this state. We are worse than Abia State.
Rivers people have shown you love and solidarity over the years. They stood by you during the crisis, but you betrayed them and protected your own interests. The Rivers people are tired of that.”
“They say you have a year to stay, and in that year, you work for them. Give back the love you’ve received from Rivers people. If you are not interested in working for Rivers people in this one year, please resign and go.”
Later, the protesters chanted, “President Bola Tinubu must go.”
‘Wike Can’t Capture All Of Us’
“The protesters are interested in a better Rivers State and they will not be intimidated,” the demonstrator said.
We desire a better Rivers state. Wike no fit get all us. “Nobody can be beaten. As you can see, some of us can’t be conquered. “If you like, arrest or kill us, we don’t mind because we know everybody will die one day,” he added.
In another video, the protesters were heard chanting “revolution” and demanding the exit of President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the ruling All Progressives Congress.
They chanted also “Insecurity, hunger, injustice must go.”
The protesters insisted that their action was ideological, not in support of any political faction.
“We have to clarify that the issues are not personal but ideological, and we are not supporting any factions. They said: “Neither Governor Fubara nor Mr Wike nor Mr Tinubu nor Governor Seyi Makinde.”
They blamed the protest on worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and poor public services.
“We want to say that the level of insecurity in this country is too much. The degree of suffering is unbearable. Schools are closed for children. Our hospitals aren’t working. They promised us electricity, but they can’t deliver. Instead of electricity, the president puts in solar at his home. This is why we are saying President Tinubu must go,” the protesters said.
Rivers Politics Blamed By Protesters
The protesters also claimed that political developments in Rivers State had eroded the gains Fubara had made in the past.
They said: “We cannot go on pretending everything is okay. And especially in Rivers State, the state has become Wike’s state. The only person who decides what happens in Rivers and it is so pathetic Gov Fubara has allowed Mr Wike do anything.
“Now, it is President Tinubu that will determine what happens in Rivers State. “Even the little progress made by Governor Fubara is gone because of unnecessary politicking.”
Protesters were also heard singing, “Freedom comes by struggle.”
