Fubara Faces Pressure as June 12 Protesters Demand Performance or Exit

A group of June 12 protesters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to focus on governance or resign from office.

The protesters, who claimed to be members of the Take-It-Back Movement linked to activist Omoyele Sowore, were said to have staged the protest around the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

They shouted anti-government slogans, expressing frustration at economic hardship, insecurity and the state’s long-running political crisis.

The Take-It-Back Movement had declared June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, as a national day of protest against insecurity and economic hardship.

In a video from the Port Harcourt protest, one of the demonstrators, with a profile name that read “Certified Courtist,” addressed Fubara directly.

“My personal address is to the Rivers State Government, and Governor Fubara. You people should help us to pass our message to Governor Fubara that those of us that stood against oppression in this state are disappointed in him and we expected more from him as governor even though he said he’s no longer interested in 2027,” the protester said.

There is no happening in Rivers.
The protester accused Fubara of failing to meet public expectations despite the support he had received during the state’s political crisis.

Oga, you have one year to work for the Rivers people, he said. “Nothing is happening in this state. We are worse than Abia State.

“Over the years, Rivers people have shown you love and solidarity. They stood by you in the crisis, but you betrayed them and protected your own interests. The Rivers people are tired of that.

“They say you have a year to stay, and in that year, you work for them. Return the love you’ve received from Rivers people. “If you are not interested to work for Rivers people in this one year, please resign and go.”

Later, the protesters chanted, “President Bola Tinubu must go.”

‘Wike Can’t Capture All Of Us’

“The protesters are interested in a better Rivers State and they will not be intimidated,” the protester said.

We want a better Rivers state. Wike can’t get all of us. Nobody can be beaten. And as you can see, some of us can not be conquered. “If you like, arrest or kill us, we don’t mind because we know everybody will die one day,” he added.

In another video, the protesters were heard chanting “revolution” and demanding the exit of President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

They chanted also “Insecurity, hunger, injustice must go.

The protesters stressed that their action was ideological, not in support of any political faction.

“We have to make clear that the issues are not personal but ideological, and we are not supporting any factions. They said: “Neither of Governor Fubara, Mr Wike, Mr Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde.”

They blamed the protest on worsening insecurity, economic hardship and poor public services.

“We want to say that the level of insecurity in this country is too much. The extent of suffering is unbearable. Schools are shut for children. Our hospitals do not function. They promised us electricity but they can’t deliver. Rather than electricity, the president installs solar in his home. “This is why we are saying President Tinubu must go,” the protesters said.

Protesters Blame Politics Of Rivers
The protesters also alleged that the political developments in Rivers State had eroded the gains Fubara had made in the past.

They say: We cannot continue to pretend that everything is fine. And particularly in Rivers State, the state has become Wike’s state. Only he decides what happens in Rivers and it is so pathetic that Gov Fubara has allowed Mr Wike to do anything.

“Now, it is President Tinubu that will determine what happens in Rivers State. “Even the little progress made by Governor Fubara is gone because of unnecessary politicking.

Protesters were also heard singing, “Freedom comes by struggle.”