“We Don’t Want Fubara Again, His Suspension Constitutional” – Rivers Women Rally In Support Of Emergency Rule

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Tensions surrounding the political crisis in Rivers State deepened on Monday as a coalition of women’s groups took to the streets of Port Harcourt, voicing their support for the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.

Dressed in white, the demonstrators marched from Garrison Flyover to the Isaac Boro Park, holding placards bearing messages like “State of Emergency is Constitutional” and “We Don’t Want Fubara.”

Leading the march was Ifeyinwa Aguma, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Social Welfare and a known supporter of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The women endorsed Ibok-Ette Ibas, appointed by Tinubu to administer the state, and urged him to “continue his good work in the state.”

This latest protest follows a separate demonstration held last week by women who backed the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

President Tinubu had announced the emergency rule in March, citing prolonged political instability and referencing “security reports” after two pipeline explosions in the state. According to Tinubu, the action was “inevitably compelling.”

“By this declaration,” Tinubu said, “the Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months.”

He assigned Ibas to oversee the state’s administration while the crisis is being addressed. The move has triggered heated debate nationwide.

On Monday, the protesting women echoed the president’s justification, describing the measure as grounded in constitutional authority.

However, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which counts Fubara among its ranks, has pushed back.

Governors from the party have rejected the emergency rule and are currently challenging it in court.