Port Harcourt Protests: A Ghost Town Amid ‘End Bad Governance

The first day of the statewide ‘End Bad Governance’ demonstration left Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, looking like a ghost town.
Even during public holidays, places known for their beehives are a shadow of themselves.

Our journalist, who traveled around observing the town, saw that the lively and bubbly metropolis of Port Harcourt had gone silent, with just the chants and noises of the protest procession.

Several pressure groups were seen chanting and holding signs expressing their displeasure.

Shops on Elekahia Road in the heart of Port Harcourt Metropolisost are locked and keyed.

Even the well-known Mechanic/Spare Parts Village is deserted.

Some young guys who did not join the demonstrators but carried placards within their residential area, indicating their desire to put an end to what they label “Bad Governance,” were an intriguing sight.

The organised labour in Rivers State was glaringly absent from the crowd.

When we asked the Chairman of the NLC Rivers State, Alex Agwanwor, about their attitude, he replied he was not in town and that Labour was not involved in the demonstration.

Agwanwor, on the other hand, urged the government to listen to and address the protestors’ concerns, while also urging the police not to harm any demonstrator while maintaining peace.

The ‘End Bad Governance’ protest began at Pleasure Park, contrary to the place listed in a statement signed by the legal representative of Take it Back Nigeria, one of the primary groups organizing the event.

In a letter responding to the Inspector General of Police’s invitation on Tuesday, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) designated Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium as protest rallying locations in Port Harcourt.

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