– Barricade FCT Minister’s residence in Port Harcourt
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The ongoing nationwide #EndGovernanceInNigeria protests has continued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, with youths blocking a section of the East-West Road and barricading the residence of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in the Rivers State capital.
The #EndBadGovernance protesters, who defied President Bola Tinubu’s directive to end the protests, shared themselves into several groups displaying banners with different inscriptions and sang anti-government songs, calling on President Tinubu to resign.
While some groups protested in front of the Federal Secretariat along Aba Road and later marched towards Mile One, Diobu, others have completely blocked the Nkpolu axis of the East-West Road, while another group barricaded the residence of the FCT Minister along Ada-George Road, calling for his immediate sack.
The protesters in the Nkpolu axis of the East-West Road also burned tyres and blocked both sections of the road near Obiri-Ikwerre interchange, forcing vehicles to make a detour to find escape routes, while many motorists placed leaves on their vehicles to show solidarity with the protesters.
The protesters vowed to continue the protest until their demands were met, saying they were tired of the deteriorating situation in the country, while chanting slogans and sang anti-government songs, calling for President Tinubu to resign.
“The President’s broadcast is nothing to write home about because he didn’t address any of the issues we raised for embarking on this protest. Tinubu must go, he has failed.
“We will not get tired of this protest till day ten. We are tired and hungry and we say no to bad governance in Nigeria,” said a protester identified as Dornubari.
Similarly, another group of protesters gathered in front of the FCT Minister’s residence, chanting slogans calling for his removal from office. The demonstrators are demanding that Nyesom Wike be removed as FCT Minister, indicating growing discontent and unrest in the country.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has lamented that it restricted the protest to two venues, Isaac Boro Park and Pleasure Park, but the protesters ignored the directive and spread to other parts of the city.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, Grace Iringe-Koko, warned that anyone who infringes on the rights of others will be arrested and prosecuted.
“We have restricted the protest to the Isaac Boro Park and the Pleasure Park to prevent a breakdown of law and order. As we speak, they have started infringing on the rights of others, and we (Police) will not allow that.
“We are calling on them to stay within these two venues or else anyone that flouts this will be arrested and prosecuted,” the Police warned.
