Different sets of Protesters storm Port Harcourt streets, avoid each other peacefully

Today’s #EndSars Protest 
Protesters heavy turnout from four different locations in Port Harcourt on Peace

*Pro-Buhari Protesters#Lets dialogue#Stop Protest#No reformation without dialogue

Rivers APC denies plans to hijack,cause mayhem says Governor Wike is becoming desperate

*Urges Rivers people to be vigilant as government may sinister motive

BY IBRAHIM BAKARE

Economic and social activities in Port Harcourt were today ground to a halt as two sets of Peaceful Protesters March through the major roads  of the Rivers State Capital.

The Pro-Buhari Protesters took Off from the Polo Club location and marched to the Police Command headquarters Port Harcourt with #Lets dialogue. #No Reformation without dialogue

Another gathered at the Pleasure Park calling for urgent reformation compensation to victims of Police brutality.

 Despite  the Rivers State Government’s late night Special announcement that the today’s peaceful protest, will be hijacked today,by APC-led Transportation Minister Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, peaceful Protesters today marched from more than four strategic points in the City of Port Harcourt.

Pro-Buhari Protesters marching towards calling for end to Protests and go for dialogue

Ojukaye Flag Amachree for Rivers  APC in Chairman was among Pro-Buhari Protesters from Polo Club to Rivers Police Command

Below are another set of Protesters who gathered at the Pleasure Park that shares boundary with the 6 Division Nigeria Army barracks,Port Harcourt.

Another set calling for Justice and end to brutality

Another crowd gathered Obiri Ikwerre Flyover marched to the former SARS headquarters in Rukpokwu in Obio-Akpor local government area where former  SARS Officers shooting sporadically into the air but the Protesters were unmoved. 

Today experienced heavier turnout than the previous ones .An interaction with members of the Protesters said their Protest is not linked to any political party but want a better Nigeria.

It is remarkable to note there two sets of Protesters one with hashtag# LetsDialogue are Pro-Buhari Protesters who took their March to the headquarters of the Rivers State Police Command.

They called for an end to the ongoing# EndSars protest in Port Harcourt and across the country to allow for dialogue.

Some Protesters went to Judiciary to ask for Justice for the late Chima Ikwunado, Auto-machenic tortured to death by the Police.

This group of Protesters wanted to be addressed by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyayi Laminkara.They left disappointed as they were told that the state Chief Judge was unavailable.

Today is supposed to be the Court hearing for the Chima Ikwunado’s case

It is noteworthy that even when there were different groups of Protesters,they were no reports of clashes as each groups avoided each other.

However, the Pro-Buhari group said it is imperative that the protesters leave the street so as not to give the enemies of the country more opportunities to ferment trouble hence distracting the government from meeting the demands of the # EndSars movement.
They also said the ongoing protests across the country has hindered and halted economic activities.

The protesters thanked President Buhari and the IGP for responding swiftly by demobilising the dreaded police unit (SARS).

Rivers Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Mukan assured them their demand will get to the President Muhammadu Buhari and other relevant authorities.

On the other hand the Organizer of the # EndSars Protest  this morning in Port Harcourt say they decided to go ahead with the peaceful march despite Monday night fears expressed by the Rivers State Government in its announcement the it had uncovered plans by the opposition to deploy thugs to hijack it.

The recent nationwide protest against Police brutality across the country first held in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, October 13, despite the state government’s decision to ban all forms of protests.

Today’s protest  began at Obiri Ikwerre Flyover along East-West road, Pleasure Park along Port Harcourt/ Aba Expressway, Port Harcourt Polo Club location, and Woji road in GRA Phase 2 trekking through Olu Obasanjo road, Port Harcourt 

Yesterday, some mothers in Port Harcourt joined the end police brutality protests. The protest in Port Harcourt which was tagged “Cry Of A Mother” started from UTC junction to the Government House. Activist, Ann Kio Briggs and Nollywood Actress, Hilda Dokubo joined other women clad in black and carrying placards with different inscriptions like ‘Please pay our police well they deserve better’, ‘End police brutality’, ‘Our sons are not thieves’,

The government had in a statement issued by the Commissioner of Information, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim accused the faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to the Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi of being behind the scheme.

On the allegations by Governor Wike imputing that APC and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi plans to hijack the Protest and cause mayhem,one of the organisers, KO Baba Jornsen,a Port Harcourt based entertainer reacted swiftly  urged youths and residents of the city to disregard the political narratives and come out to register their grievances against Police brutality and all forms of oppression against the people.

He assured that there will be surplus to eat and drink and that the march will be peaceful.

Also said, Enefaa Georgewill,of the Rivers State Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (RIVCSO) assured that the Protesters will be marching down to the Rivers State Police Headquarters along Moscow Road to enquire from the Commissioner,CP Joseph Mukan why the Command has refused to pay a condolence visit to the slain Daniel Chibuike Ikeagwuch,(Sleek’s) family who was allegedly killed by it’s officer over a month after the incident. And why Orderly Room trial the Policemen who killed him has been on for over a month.

Meanwhile, the APC in Rivers State loyal to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,the Transportation Minister has denied having hand in the ongoing protest or planning to hijack it to cause mayhem in the  state.

The party in a press Statement issued by it Spokesman, Ogbonna Nwuke, a former Lawmaker representing the Etche-Omuma federal Constituency in the House of Representatives said that as a responsible political party, it has kept a distance from events that are playing out on the streets because it  respects  the exemplary conduct that Nigerians are exhibiting at this time.

The party said it  shocked by the “unbridled allegation, suggesting APC involvement in the ongoing protests, peddled by the propaganda machine of the Rivers State Government.  

“At no time has the APC planned in any way to manipulate the protests on the Street. We are rather proud of the courage and understanding displayed by the Buhari administration in its handling  of protests across the country at a time of global economic recession, which is equally taking a toll on our dear country.

“This proves beyond reasonable doubt that the Federal Government ably led by President  Muhammadu Buhari is indeed committed to deepening democracy in Nigeria. More especially,  the Government has didplayed flexibility, maturity, understanding and love for the Nigerian people since the protests began. 

Rivers APC said it believes  the people have an inalienable right to embark on protests. The Nigerian Constitution allows that right; the right to free expression in particular; and the right to association. 

 “Wike administration’s allegations about the APC’s involvement in the street protests is completely unfounded, baseless and misleading. There is no iota of truth in the empty claim that is being fabricated by the Rivers State Government.

APC urge Rivers people to ignore the tantrums of the State Government and urge them to be vigilant  that this administration, which is fixated when it comes to the person of the Minister of  Transportation, is known to be adept in diverting public attention each time it comes up with a plan to do something sinister. 

“Why is there a deliberate effort to instigate restiveness on the streets? Why is it necessary to drag politics into the arena of protest? 

“We have reason to believe that the Government statement was intended to create dangerous drama on the streets; and politicize the entire thing. There can be no other reason why Government attempted to inflame the situation on the street when seen against the backdrop of the timing of its statement.
In pursuit of narrow, parochial interests, they want to sacrifice the blood of innocent and defenseless youths to deities with whom they share uncommon communion and  covenants”. 

Our Correspondent reports that at the time of filing this report, there has not been reported violence caused by Protesters as more people keep joining the train as they control traffic as there were traffic gridlock in all major roads.