A group of June 12 protesters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State have called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to focus on governance or resign from office.
The protesters, who identified themselves as members of the Take-It-Back Movement, an organisation associated with activist Omoyele Sowore, were reported to have staged the protest in the vicinity of the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.
They shouted anti-government slogans, complaining of economic hardship, insecurity and the political crisis that has gripped the state for years.
The Take-It-Back Movement had declared June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, as a day of national protest 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.
There is no happening in the Rivers.
The protester said Fubara has failed to meet the expectations of the public despite the support he got during the political crisis in the state.
He said: “Oga, you have one year to work for the Rivers people. “There is nothing happening in this state. We are worse than Abia State.
“Rivers people have over the years shown you love and solidarity. They stood by your side in the crisis, but you turned on 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 have received from the Rivers people. “If you are not interested to work for Rivers people in this one year, please resign and leave.”
Later, the protesters chanted, “President Bola Tinubu must go.”
‘Wike Can’t Capture All Of Us’
“The protesters want a better Rivers State and they will not be intimidated,” the protester said.
We desire a better Rivers state. “Wike no fit get all of us. Nobody can be conquered. And as you can see, some of us cannot 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 also chanted “Insecurity, hunger, injustice must go.
Their action was ideological, not in support of any political faction, the protesters emphasized.
“We have to make clear that the issues are ideological, not personal, and we are not supporting any factions. They said: “Neither Governor Fubara, Mr Wike, Mr Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde.”
They blamed the protest on worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and poor public services.
We want to say that the insecurity level in this country is too much. The amount of suffering is unbearable. Children are off school. “Our hospitals don’t work. They promised us electricity but they can’t provide. Instead of electricity, the president installs solar at his home. “This is why we are saying President Tinubu must go,” the protesters stated.
Protesters blame politics of Rivers
The protesters also said the political developments in Rivers State had eaten into the gains Fubara had made in the past.
They say: We cannot go on pretending that everything is fine. 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. “The little progress made by Governor Fubara is gone because of unnecessary politicking.
Protesters were also heard singing, “Freedom comes by struggle.”
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