A group of women in Rivers state are protesting the suspension of Siminalayi Fubara, the governor, and the declaration of emergency rule in the state.
The protest began early Friday morning with the women chanting slogans and demanding an end to what they perceive as an “unconstitutional state of affairs” in Rivers.
During a march to the government house in Port Harcourt, the women also demanded a return to democratic governance in the state.
“We want governor Fubara back,” one protester was heard saying in a viral video.
‘We need our democracy restored’, ‘#BringBackFubara’, ‘Obey the rule of law’, and ‘Save our democracy, are some of the inscriptions on their placards.
In a statement signed by Nancy Nwankwo, Tamunobelema West and Cynthia Amadi, the group said the actions of Ibok-Ete Ibas, the state’s sole administrator, are “becoming provocative and illegal”.
The women implored prominent Nigerians, including former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, and Goodluck Jonathan, to intervene in the restoration of democratic rule in Rivers.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule in the oil-rich state, citing a protracted political crisis.
He also suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months.
The president immediately appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.
