Economic activities were temporarily paralysed in the cities of Warri and Effurun on Friday as protesters marched on major roads against the continued refusal of President Umaru Yar’Adua to hand over to his deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
Shops, earlier opened, were hurriedly closed by operators who joined in solidarity with others to protest the lack of leadership in the nation for the past 60 days. Okada operators drove around to display their support for the rally.
The protest, organised by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Warri chapter and in collaboration with other human right groups, was embraced by the people of the town.
The peaceful protest started from the Enerhen Junction, Effurun, as early as 11.30 a.m and was led by chairman of CDHR, Mr. Rufus Olarenwaju, Comrade Sunny Enenuvwedia, national vice president and Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, immediate past state chairman.
The placard-carrying- protesters sang solidarity songs as they marched along the Warri/Sapele road which led to traffic hold-up.
Mr. Ikimi, who spoke on behalf of the committee, told onlookers that “we are tired of an offshore president; we want Goodluck Jonathan to take over. Good Nigerians, let’s join hands to push the constitution suppressors away.”
“Let the Senate take action now, our right is our right, let’s stand up to fight this injustice, fellow compatriots, we want to know where Yar’Adua is now, we demand immediate answer,” he added.