In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Day 1 of the nationwide ‘End Bad Governance’ protest left the city looking like a ghost town.
Places known to be a beehive, even on public holidays, are a shadow of themselves.
Our correspondent who went around to observe the town, noticed that the lively and bubbly city of Port Harcourt has gone dry, with the only chants and sounds coming from the procession of the protest.
Several pressure groups were seen chanting and bearing placards that communicate their grievances.
Shops on the Elekahia Road in the heart of Port Harcourt Metropolisost are under lock and key.
Even the popular Mechanic/Spare Part Village is empty without a single person around.
An interesting sight is some young men who did not join the protesters but carried placards within their residential environment, communicating that they want an end to what they call “Bad Governance.”
The organised labour in Rivers State was conspicuously missing among the crowd.
When we reached the Chairman of NLC Rivers State, Alex Agwanwor, to know their stance, he said he was not in town and explained that Labour is not involved in the protest.
Agwanwor, however, appealed to the government to listen and address the demands of the protesters, urging the police not to harm any protester while keeping the peace.
The ‘End Bad Governance’ protest commenced from Pleasure Park, contrary to the address for kickoff released in a statement signed by the legal representative of Take it Back Nigeria, one of the major groups spearheading the protest.
In a letter sent in reply to the Inspector General of Police’s invitation on Tuesday, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) had given Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium as the venues for the Port Harcourt rallying points for the protesters.
