A group of women in Rivers State took to the streets of Port Harcourt on Monday, staging a rally in support of the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
This marks the first public demonstration backing the emergency rule, which was declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025. The president’s action followed escalating political tensions and security concerns in the state.
As part of the declaration, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly were all suspended from office. In their place, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), was appointed as the sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
Ibas, on assumption of office, suspended all political appointees as well as heads of government departments and agencies.
It was observed that the rally by the women, who were all dressed in white attires, came as a response to the peaceful protests that were staged by women loyal to Fubara, under the auspices of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS).
The women carried placards that read: “State of Emergency Is Constitutional”, “No Tribal War in Rivers State, No More Fubara”, among others.
Speaking to journalists, one of the organisers of the rally and former vice chairman of Etche local government area of the state, Hon. Gladys Nweke, said: “What we are doing here is a solidarity march in support of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
“Since the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, there has been peace. We no longer hear about killings and cult activities in the state.”
