Hundreds of women from all 23 local government areas of Rivers State on Friday staged a peaceful protest, calling for the immediate return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and an end to the state of emergency declared by the Federal Government.
The demonstrators, comprising women from various communities, converged on the streets of Port Harcourt and marched to the Rivers State Government House in a show of defiance against what they described as the subversion of democracy. Holding placards with inscriptions such as “Bring back our Governor” and “Respect our votes,” the women said their action was a collective cry for justice and the restoration of constitutional order in the state.
Speaking during the protest, several participants expressed outrage over what they termed the unjust suspension of Governor Fubara and other top state officials by the Federal Government. The protest comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s controversial decision on March 18, 2025, to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In a move that sparked widespread condemnation, President Tinubu replaced the suspended officials with a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas (rtd), citing the need to restore stability in the state. According to the president, the drastic action was necessitated by escalating political tension, the alleged disobedience of a Supreme Court ruling, and deteriorating security conditions, including pipeline vandalism reportedly carried out by militants said to be loyal to Governor Fubara.
However, the decision has been met with sharp criticism from opposition leaders, legal experts, and civil society organisations, many of whom argue that the suspension is a clear violation of constitutional provisions and an overreach of executive power.
“This is a democracy, not a dictatorship,” one protester said. “We voted for our governor, and no one has the right to overturn the will of the people without due process.”
Civil rights advocates have also condemned the move as unlawful, calling on the Federal Government to rescind the suspension and reinstate the elected officials.
“This decision is unconstitutional and an abuse of power,” a representative of a Port Harcourt-based human rights organisation said. “The president has no authority to unilaterally remove elected officials or impose a sole administrator on a federating state. This is not only illegal but dangerous for the future of democracy in Nigeria.”
