As the #EndBadGovernance protests continue nationwide, it has been clouded by reports of violence in certain areas.
During a conversation on Nigeria Info’s Hello Port Harcourt, callers discussed the need to maintain peaceful demonstrations, focusing particularly on ways to address reports of violence and looting during protests.
One caller, Patrick, stressed that the lack of leadership within the protest movement contributed to the chaos. He asserts that looting and vandalism during protests could only be controlled if a designated protest leader was responsible for maintaining order.
Meanwhile, the #EndBadGovernance protesters have firmly stated that they have no leader, shutting down options for dialogue with the federal government.
Would appointing a protest leader indeed help reduce incidents of vandalism?
Another caller, Ibiso, shifts the blame to the police, arguing that businesses are destroyed because the police selectively decide which people and properties to protect, rather than ensuring the safety of all.
“They (Police) purposely want the people to vandalise property so they can arrest them and collect money from them”. Insists another caller, Adolphus.
Adolphus believes the blame lies entirely with the police, linking property damage to a lack of adequate police manpower to protect the protesters.
See video:
