In the day 1 of the nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernance protesters in Akwa Ibom defied the early morning rains and took to the streets of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. This is even as Banks, shops, transportation businesses were shut down in the city.
Some of the protesters were seen armed with placards with various inscriptions: “Say No to Economic Hardship,” “Hunger, Poverty Must End Now,” among other anti-government slogans.
According to news report, the protesters took off from the Ibom Plaza Square, the rallying point of every protest in the State. They marched along Aka Road to other major streets on the metropolis, displaying their placards.
LEADERSHIP reports that businesses including banks and shops were shut as few commercial buses, tricycle operators and private vehicles plied the less busy roads.
“The Ibom Plaza arena and its environs were cordoned off by armed security operatives. The operatives were made up of soldiers, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). They were located at strategic points in the city to maintain law and order.
Recall that prior to the commencement of the protest on Thursday, the State Governor, Umo Eno, the Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, and traditional rulers had appealed to the protesters to shelve the action.
But discarding the appeal, the residents took to the streets on Thursday to protest the rising hunger in the land.
According to one of the protesters, Comrade Emem Emma, who spoke to LEADERSHIP, said the step became necessary to draw government’s attention to the sufferings in the country.
He said, “We need to draw government’s attention to the prevailing hardship, hunger, insecurity, soaring food prices and high rate of youth unemployment in the country.”
However, the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), a Civil Society Organization (CSO) urged governments at various levels to “protect the rights of the people.” The group also urged the protesters to exercise caution by acting within the ambit of the laws and the constitution.
In the same vein, the Director of the pro-democracy group, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, called for caution.
He said, “The armed forces, the police and other security agencies should ensure that their operatives deployed during the protests exhibit civility in line with international best practices,” he stressed.
source: Leadership
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