Rivers Women March To Government House, Protest Fubara’s Suspension

Hundreds of women took to the streets of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Friday in a peaceful protest tagged “Bring Back Our Fubara,” demanding the immediate reinstatement of the suspended Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

The women, who converged along Aba Road, marched to the Rivers State Government House in a bold show of solidarity and defiance against what they described as the “militarisation of governance” in the state.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Bring back Fubara,” “Save our democracy,” “Is the law different for Rivers State?” and “God of justice, arise for Rivers State,” the protesters raised their voices in songs and chants, decrying what they alleged to be an unconstitutional imposition of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu.

Channels TV reports that the protesters, many of whom identified themselves as mothers, wives, and concerned citizens, called on President Tinubu to end what they labelled as “unconstitutional military rule masked as a state of emergency.”

They demanded the immediate restoration of all suspended democratic institutions in the state.

“We are peaceful people and do not deserve this kind of injustice,” said a protester who spoke with newsmen.

“Governor Fubara has continued to serve the people despite all the political distractions. What is happening now is not democracy.”

The protest leaders emphasised that their demonstration was not politically motivated, but rather a collective stand to protect the democratic fabric of Rivers State.

“We are here to defend our votes and the sanctity of our democracy,” said one of the leaders of the demonstration.

“This is beyond Fubara; this is about justice, and it is about the future of Rivers State.”

The protest began with a prayer session at the historic Isaac Boro Park before the crowd marched along Aba Road.

Despite the emotional tenor of the demonstration, the event remained peaceful, with no reported incidents of violence.

Governor Fubara, his Deputy Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly were suspended by President Bola Tinubu following a months-long political standoff in the state between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

In the wake of the crisis, President Tinubu appointed retired Navy Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the oil-rich state — a move that has since drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including civil society groups and political observers.

As tensions continue to mount, Friday’s protest adds to the growing calls for a return to constitutional order in Rivers State.