Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State encountered significant backlash from EndBadGovernance protesters at the Port Harcourt Government House on Thursday after he offered them money to buy pure water.
The governor’s gesture and his plea for the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstrators to disperse only intensified their frustration.
While addressing the crowd in front of Government House, 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.”
At this point, the protesters erupted in unison, shouting, “No, no! We don’t need your money, keep your money. We want good governance in Nigeria. Tinubu must go.”
Despite the governor’s attempts to calm the protesters and clarify his intentions, his words were met with continued anger and resistance.
Fubara eventually waved to the crowd and descended from his position in front of the government house, leaving the scene