Youths in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest over alleged marginalisation and abandonment by political leaders they claim to have supported, demanding recognition, employment opportunities and meaningful empowerment.
The protesters, who identified themselves as Rainbow Coalition Youths, marched to Nchia Market and barricaded part of the Port Harcourt Ring Road, which is under construction by Julius Berger Construction Company Limited, to draw attention to their grievances.
Key Highlights
- Eleme youths staged a protest over alleged neglect by political leaders they supported.
- The protesters demanded recognition, employment opportunities and youth empowerment.
- Protest leaders accused some politicians of abandoning them after achieving their political ambitions.
- Some demonstrators alleged that youths suffered injuries, deaths and other consequences during the Rivers State crisis.
- The protesters called on political leaders to engage with them and address their grievances.
Eleme Youths Accuse Political Leaders of Abandonment
The protest was reportedly led by General Asego, popularly known as the Executive Street Governor of Rivers State, who accused some political leaders in Eleme of using youths to advance their political ambitions before abandoning them after attaining positions of influence.
Asego said the demonstration was intended to draw attention to what he described as the prolonged neglect of young people in the area.
He alleged that the youths had supported political figures at different levels, including Senator Olaka Nwogu, who represents Rivers South East in the National Assembly; Chief Marcus Nle Ejii, a member of the South South Development Commission board; Chief Hon. Aforji Igwe, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly; and Eleme Local Government Chairman, Chief Hon. Obarilomate Alale Ollor.
According to Asego, many youths who worked for the politicians had not received adequate recognition or empowerment.
“We are here on a peaceful protest, saying enough is enough. We stood by our leaders and worked for them, from Senator Olaka Nwogu to the least political leader in Eleme. We helped them become who they are today, but now they have abandoned us and treat us as nobodies,” Asego said.
He called on the political leaders to meet with the youths and address their concerns, insisting that their sacrifices and the risks they took in supporting political activities should be recognised.
Protesters Allege Deaths and Injuries During Rivers Crisis
Asego further alleged that more than 30 youths were declared wanted during the crisis in Rivers State, while some reportedly died and others sustained serious injuries.
He specifically mentioned a youth identified as Adamu, whom he said remained in a mortuary, and urged the political leaders to address the situation.
Also speaking, Owijima Obele Oluka, a protest leader and security chairman of Agbonchia in Eleme, expressed disappointment over what he described as the abandonment of youths despite the risks they allegedly took in supporting political leaders.
Oluka claimed he had been shot twice while supporting the politicians and had nearly lost his life. He also alleged that he lost two friends during the recent Rivers crisis, adding that one of them, identified as Adamu, was still in the mortuary.
He lamented that he and other youths had yet to receive meaningful support or empowerment despite their contributions.
The Trumpet could not independently verify the protesters’ claims about deaths, injuries and youths reportedly declared wanted.
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Rainbow Coalition Youths Demand Jobs and Empowerment
Comrade Clinton Gomba, the Obolo Youth President, also criticised what he described as the marginalisation of Eleme youths.
He said young people had become frustrated with a political system in which politicians allegedly sought their support during elections but failed to provide opportunities after securing office.
“These people have used us and dumped us. They come only during elections and ask us to work for them. After we have worked for them, they abandon us. We, the Eleme youths, are out to let the whole world know that this is not fair. That is the reason for this peaceful protest,” Gomba said.
Another protester, Comrade Amasi Lale, popularly known as King Ala, said the youths supported political leaders before and during the Rivers State crisis but were allegedly abandoned afterwards.
While acknowledging the efforts of Eleme Local Government Chairman Obarilomate Alale Ollor, Lale criticised Senator Olaka Nwogu, Chief Marcus Nle Ejii and the lawmaker representing Eleme in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Hon. Aforji Igwe, whom he accused of failing to address the youths’ concerns.
He challenged the leaders to explain what they had done to support the young people who, according to him, contributed to their political success.
Lale also alleged that the level of development and youth empowerment in Eleme had fallen short of expectations.
“We are here on a peaceful protest to ask why we have been abandoned, neglected and used and dumped. They should tell us what they have done for us after all our sacrifices. We want the world to know that we are not happy with the situation,” he said.
Eleme Youths Call for Dialogue and Development
The protesters called on political leaders in Eleme to engage with them and address their grievances through practical measures aimed at improving youth employment, empowerment and inclusion in local development.
They maintained that the demonstration was peaceful and intended to draw public attention to their demands for recognition and a fair consideration of the sacrifices they claimed to have made in support of the area’s political leadership.
The political leaders named by the protesters had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
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