Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State faced a strong backlash on Thursday when he encountered #EndBadGovernance protesters at the Port Harcourt Government House.
The governor’s attempt to calm the demonstrators with a small cash offer for pure water only increased their anger.
Addressing the protesters outside the Government House, Governor Fubara said, “I thank you for being peaceful. I thank you for coming. I feel your pain. I want to assure you that I will deliver your message to the President. Here in Rivers State, we will do everything to make life better. But all we need from you is to support the Federal Government. We know there is hunger, but just be patient with the government. I will give you a small thing for you to drink pure water.”
This statement triggered an eruption of frustration from the protesters, who shouted, “No, no! Keep your money. We want good governance in Nigeria. Tinubu must go.”
Governor Fubara’s attempts to calm the crowd and clarify his intentions were unsuccessful, as the protesters continued to express their anger. Eventually, the governor waved to the crowd and departed from the scene outside the Government House.