The ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest took a new turn in Rivers State on Tuesday,Daily Trust reports.
A large number of protesters marched to the Port Harcourt residence of former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In a viral video, protesters are seen chanting and carrying placards with various messages. Upon reaching Wike’s heavily guarded mansion, most of the protesters sat on the tarred road in front of the house.
These demonstrations, which began last Thursday, have spread across various states, with participants expressing their dissatisfaction over the nation’s economic challenges.
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Wike, who has strongly opposed the nationwide protests, also took steps to prevent the demonstration in the nation’s capital. He denied approval for the use of Eagles Square in Abuja as a gathering venue when the rights group, Take It Back movement, requested it.
In July, the minister urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory not to join the protest. Speaking in Abuja after inspecting the ongoing construction of a 5-kilometer access road to Saburi 1 and 2 in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), he assured residents that President Bola Tinubu was aware of the problems and was working hard to address the challenges.
He described the current hunger and suffering in the country as temporary, adding that the ongoing reforms and policies would soon yield positive results.
“Don’t be angry and don’t join the protest, because protest will not solve the problem. The government is aware of hunger and that is why it is working hard to find a lasting solution to the problem. I know that hunger makes people lose patience. Please be patient. That is all I am asking. This hunger will be reduced very soon. Those asking you to protest are lying to you. It is not for the interest of Nigeria and it is not for your interest,” Wike said.