Banks, Shops Shut As Protesters Defy Rains In Akwa Ibom

Amidst tight security, the #EndBadGovernance protesters defied the early morning rains and took to the streets of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, armed with placards of varying inscriptions: “Say no to economic hardship,” “Hunger, Poverty Must End Now,” etc.

Chanting anti-government songs, the protesters took off from the Ibom Ibom Plaza Square, the epicentre and rallying point of every protest in the State, and marched along the Aka road to other major streets in the metropolis.

Businesses including banks, 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 by armed security operatives including soldiers, Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), to prevent another rounds of bloodshed that characterized the last #EndSARS crisis in which some protesters were shot dead.

The governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the commissioner of Police (CP), Waheed Ayilara, and traditional rulers had appealed to the protesters to shelve the action, but to no avail.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Friday, Comrade Emem Emma, one of the youth leaders of the coalition, said the demonstration became necessary “in order to draw government attention to the prevailing hardship, hunger, insecurity, soaring food prices and high rate of youths’ unemployment in the country.”

To ensure smooth and peaceful protest, the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) enjoined governments at various levels to protect the rights of the people, and urged the protesters to exercise caution by acting within the ambit of the laws and the constitution.

The director of the pro-democracy group, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, said

“the Centre underscored the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and freedom of movement, which are constitutionally guaranteed rights of Nigerians.”

“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.