Heavy rainfall on Friday morning disrupted the planned nationwide June 12 Democracy Day protest in Rivers State, resulting in a subdued turnout as residents focused on their daily activities despite the harsh weather conditions.
Recall that a nationwide protest proposed by some civil rights organizations, dubbed the Take It Back Campaign, was scheduled to hold in Rivers State on Friday to protest against bad governance, insecurity, and corruption.
As of a few minutes past 10 a.m., there were no visible signs of any major demonstration in Port Harcourt, with most residents either remaining indoors or venturing out to pursue their livelihoods.
A visit to the Federal Secretariat along the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, a traditional convergence point for protests in the state, revealed an unusually calm atmosphere. The area was largely deserted, with no protesters in sight and traffic flowing freely as the rain gradually subsided.
Similarly, the entrance to the Government House in Port Harcourt, where demonstrators often submit protest letters and petitions to government authorities, remained empty throughout the morning, showing no indication of the planned nationwide action.
However, as the weather improved later in the day, a number of small groups took to the streets to express their grievances over governance and economic challenges.
One of the groups, comprising four protesters, was seen carrying a banner bearing the inscription, “Tinubu Must Go.” Speaking with newsmen, the leader of the group, Barrister Chetam Nwala, accused President Bola Tinubu of failing in his constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of Nigerians. Nwala said worsening insecurity and economic hardship had left many citizens disillusioned and frustrated, adding that the government must take urgent steps to address the country’s mounting challenges.
In a separate demonstration, a group claiming to represent about 10,000 youths whose appointments were allegedly terminated by the Rivers State Government used the Democracy Day celebration to appeal for reinstatement. The protesters called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to revisit their case, insisting that they had successfully completed all stages of the recruitment process before their appointments were cancelled.
According to the group, they underwent screening exercises, met all stipulated requirements, and were issued appointment letters before the employment process was abruptly halted. Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved youths, the group’s leader, Ajoku David, appealed to the state government to reconsider its decision and provide the affected youths with an opportunity to serve. Another member of the group, Owunari King, also urged the authorities to intervene, describing the cancellation of the appointments as a major setback for thousands of young people seeking gainful employment.
Beyond the organized demonstrations, some residents who spoke with journalists expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the nation, citing rising living costs, unemployment, and economic hardship as major concerns. The residents called on political leaders at all levels to implement policies that would improve living standards and restore public confidence in governance.
Although the anticipated mass protest failed to gain significant momentum in Rivers State, the Democracy Day observance nonetheless provided a platform for citizens and interest groups to draw attention to issues of governance, unemployment, and the country’s economic challenges.
