In Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, a nationwide protest against hunger and poor governance faced significant disruption on October 1.
The protest, which aimed to address the pressing issues of food insecurity and governmental inefficiency, was met with resistance from security agencies and individuals believed to be political thugs.
The protesters initially gathered at Pleasure Park, but their demonstration was quickly dispersed by security forces accompanied by thugs wielding canes.
The crackdown continued as some organizers were apprehended at Rumuokwuta, and suspected protesters were harassed at various locations including Waterlines and the Federal Secretariat on Aba Road.
Andy Akportive, one of the protest organizers, condemned the actions of the government and criticized the recruitment of youths to oppose the demonstrators.
Speaking from his hideout, Akportive stated, “Today we had come out to do what we had planned that we are going to do, which was to have this protest in Rivers State, saying to the government, as we did earlier some two months ago, that enough is enough.
You cannot continue to hold the people down all the time. The people are asking for respite. The people are asking for, you know, a breath of fresh air.”
He further emphasized the collective ownership of the country, saying, “The people’s way to live. They want to exist in their country.
The country that we all are equal shareholders. You’re not more of a shareholder in leadership than the entire citizens or the rest of the citizens of Nigeria.”
Despite the setbacks, Akportive assured that the group would re-strategize and continue their efforts. He urged the youth to join the movement in correcting the wrongs of the government, stating, “We came out today, and we insisted that we are going to have this protest. But of course, agents and agencies of government, individuals and area boys procured by the government attempted to destabilize the protest. They’ve got another thing coming.”
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