Rivers residents defy rain, warnings, participate in protest

• Reject Fubara’s money offer, insist on good governance
• Gov warns against hijack of protest
Despite government warnings, Rivers State residents took to the streets of Port Harcourt to participate in the ongoing economic hardship protests across the country.

The protest, which took off from Port Harcourt Pleasure Park at the Air Force area, led a procession down the stretch of Port Harcourt/Aba Express Road, en route the Government House. 
 
The residents defiled the drizzling rain and came out in their hundreds, demanding policy reforms.  A few of them were chanting: “We are hungry,” while others were dancing to the rhythmic pattern of Idris Abdulkarim’s ‘Nigeria jaga jaga’ song.
 
The protest was peaceful and coordinated. There was the presence of the police and other security agencies along the road, as some of them were leading the way, while others were stationed at strategic places, supervising the procession.

HOWEVER, the angry protesters, who marched to the Government House gate where they were received by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, rejected the money offered by the governor, insisting that the gesture is not part of their demands, but good governance.

They explained that money will always finish, but good governance will create an enabling environment for citizens to thrive. Fubara reassured the protesters that life will be better henceforth. 
 
The governor also assured them that the government will sustain the implementation of policies and programmes that will continue to make living better for all residents in the state.

Fubara acknowledged the difficulties of the current harsh economic conditions that have necessitated the nationwide protest, insisting that it will be for a short time, given the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to secure a better future for all Nigerians.

Fubara thanked the youths for being peaceful with their protest, so far, urging them to ensure that they are not instigated by anybody to resort to violence.