In a powerful show of grassroots resistance, hundreds of women took to the streets of Port Harcourt on Friday, demanding the reinstatement of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. The demonstration, which began at Isaac Boro Park and progressed along Aba Road to the Rivers State Government House, remained peaceful but charged with emotion and calls for justice.
Holding placards inscribed with bold messages such as “Bring back Fubara”, “Save our democracy”, and “God of justice, arise for Rivers State”, the women who identified themselves as mothers and wives called for an end to what they termed a “civilian coup” in the oil-rich state.
Amid chants of solidarity, the women made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to restore democracy in Rivers State by reversing the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the State House of Assembly.
“This is not politics. This is about democracy,” said one of the protest leaders during a live interview with Channels Television. “What is happening in Rivers State is not lawful. It is not constitutional. We want justice for our people.”
The women decried what they described as an “unconstitutional military rule masked as a state of emergency,” following Tinubu’s decision to appoint Ibok-Ete Ibas as a sole administrator for the state after the suspension of the elected officials. They argued that this move stripped the state of democratic governance and violated the electoral will of Rivers people.
One protester said, “We are peaceful people. We are mothers. We vote. And we are here today not because of Fubara alone, but because we must stand for the truth. We want our votes to count. We want our democracy to stand.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, saying that Governor Fubara, despite ongoing political distractions, has remained focused on governance and delivering development across the state.
“This injustice cannot continue. Rivers State is part of Nigeria, and the law must be the same for all states,” one woman stated, holding up a sign that read: “Is the law different for Rivers State?”
The protest is the latest reaction to the political standoff that has gripped Rivers State for months. The suspension of Governor Fubara and key state actors followed sustained tensions between political factions in the state. Critics argue that the federal government’s intervention has eroded the principles of federalism and subverted the will of the electorate.
The appointment of a sole administrator a move usually associated with emergency rule as raised eyebrows across the country, drawing criticism from civil society groups and political observers.
With tensions running high, all eyes are on the federal government and how it responds to growing pressure from Rivers residents. The peaceful protest by women marks a significant moment in the state’s political narrative, as it underscores public resistance to perceived federal overreach.
“We’re not going anywhere until justice is done,” one protester declared. “Rivers State is not a dictatorship.”
Whether these voices will influence federal decisions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the call for the reinstatement of Siminalayi Fubara is growing louder and it is coming from the heart of the people.
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