Lorine Emenike
Men of the Nigerian police today barred a group of peaceful protesters from approaching the Rivers State government house to see the state governor, E. N. Wike.
The protesters are protesting the inability of the governor to visit the region since the flood which has claimed more than 10 lives began in September.
Mr Prince Ekpere, the Program officer of Social Action, a civil society organization, who convened the peaceful protest, told newsmen that his organization, Orashi Youths Assembly, and other civil society organizations in the state embarked on the peaceful protest to the government house to register their displeasure over the governor’s refusal to visit the region to meet with the displaced flood victims who had their livelihood destroyed by the ravaging flood.
He said the flood also prevented children in the area from going to school since the beginning of the new academic session.
Mr Ekpere said the fruit garden market in Port Harcourt which was razed down on September 27 had attracted the state governor’s attention, adding that the governor had visited the place and given the victims huge sums of money to placate them over their loses but has failed to extend such concern towards the people of Orashi region who had been displaced by Flood with their houses, farmland and viable properties destroyed by the flood
Also, comrade Abba Rufus, the leader of Orashi Youth Assembly, alleged that the state governor sent men of the police to stop them from getting to the government house.
According to him, after spending three hours with policemen who held them down from proceeding to the government house, the state governor while in a convoy, stopped at UTC and accused them of being sponsored by the opposition and threatened not to see them again.
Comrade Abba, stated ” the governor has forgotten how the people of Orashi gave him a block vote in 2015 that made him the governor of Rivers State”
He said by the governor’s action towards the people, he had left the people of Orashi to die and perish in the flood and threatened that the people of the region will reply him come 2019.
Also, Emefaa Georgewill, chairman Rivers State Civil Society Organization said it’s quite pathetic for the Nigerian Police to stop peaceful protesters after several court order had prohibited them from barring peaceful protests.
Mr. Enefaa noted that the CSOs prior to today have written to the state commissioner of police and the state government informing them of today’s protest, but was surprised at the actions of men of the Nigerian police.
Mr Enefaa said the country is in a Democratic system and not a dictatorship nor a tyramic government, adding that peaceful protesters should not be treated the way they were treated today by officers of the police.
He also urged the Rivers State government to immediately open a health audit for the affected flood victims in Orashi region and also provide necessary relief materials for the affected flood victims.
Eneefa said the victims should be included in the state budget, stressing that Agricultural loan should be given to the victims.
He called on the government to declare Orashi region a flood disaster zone.
On his part, Comrade Andy Chimaji Charles, the vice president of Ekpeye Youth Congress, said that the Ekpeye Youth Congress are solidly behind her sister group, the Orashi Youth Assembly in their quest to attract the attention of the state governor.
He added that the people of Orashi region will reply him via ballot in 2019.
Also, comrade Kenneth Friday Akrika, a student activist from the University of Port Harcourt declared the actions of the police as disheartening.
According to him, “it’s saddening that after being stopped by the police for hours from reaching the government house, the governor stopped by only to inform them that he is still making plans to visit Orashi.
Also, Comrade Green Isaac, Secretary Social Action, frowned at the action of the Nigerian police for stopping protesters who where discharging their constitutional rights peacefully.
