Some reputable women in Rivers state have reiterated their support for the embattled Governor of Rivers state, Siminalayi Fubara.
According to them, they want the federal government to reinstate the governor as soon as possible.
However, there has been allegations that the governor could join the APC in order to get reinstated.
Ever since the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, there have been mixed reactions between the pro-Fubara and pro-Wike camps. This division has led to various women leading protests, some calling for the reinstatement of suspended elected officials, while others support the continuation of the state of emergency.
Following a series of political dramas and heightened tensions between both camps, including street walks, protests, and prayer rallies—reconciliation appears to be on the horizon, as suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have reportedly met for the sake of the state’s interest.
After numerous protests conducted by some group of women, urging for the reinstatement of suspended Governor Fubara and the end of the emergency declaration, a recently aired video showed members of the group commending and rejoicing over President Bola Tinubu’s directive to initiate peace between both parties.
New Daily Prime conducted interviews with key women stakeholders to understand their perspectives on the current situation and to gauge their stance on the cancellation of the emergency rule.
Speaking with the New Daily Prime, one of the members of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), Mrs. Nwuuke Ibe, a resident and indigene of Etche Local Government Area (LGA), said the emergency declaration, which was meant to halt anarchy, has instead sparked fear, uncertainty, and economic decline, particularly affecting nightlife and the broader economy.
“Our economy is suffering. When will you say our internally generated revenue was at an all-time high?” Ibe declared.
“If you go to the ministries, nothing is happening because they will say the sole administrator has put everything on standstill. The only thing working in this state is salaries being paid. He needed to be dragged before even people who, you know, in the streets of Port Harcourt were mobilized, of which it is not the same garden city we used to have.”
She further expressed discontent over the appointment of an external sole administrator, implying a disconnect from the state’s unique identity and culture.
Read Also: PDP Govs hire SANs to challenge Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers
Reacting to the commendation given to President Tinubu by some groups of women toward the peace directive, she stated that individuals have the right to react in any lawful manner. She referenced a biblical analogy to emphasize public inconsistency in support.
Demands for Presidential Intervention
Continuing, she alleged that the sole administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has neglected the state’s pressing needs and called for urgent intervention from President Tinubu.
“Companies are leaving Rivers State daily. Who is there to approve things that on a normal day would have been approved? Ibas is not doing that. Everything is at a standstill. So as a daughter, as a son, of course, we want an urgent intervention—even right now,” she affirmed.
Democracy Breached
While highlighting the consequences of the state of emergency, she questioned how the upcoming Democracy Day, marked every 12 June, could be celebrated in a state currently under sole administrative rule, which she believes contradicts democratic principles.
“What do you think we’ll be celebrating here in Rivers State? Is there justice? Is this democracy? And then, Democracy Day—is it not about celebrating the Nigerian Constitution? What is there to celebrate when it was unconstitutionally removed? Bring back our governor. We are not asking for too much.”
She emphasized that the removal of Governor Fubara was unconstitutional and central to the grievances of the pro-Fubara movement.
Fubara’s Command Remains Paramount
Despite challenges and protests, she reaffirmed unwavering support for Governor Fubara, expressing full confidence in his leadership and awaiting further directives as negotiations continue.
According to Ibe, “No more protests. We trust him enough because this is the man whose mantra was written. He is still my newly elected governor. It’s Rivers first. He puts us first, not only in words but in action.”
Read Also: Emergency Rule in Rivers: Affront to Democracy, Fubara’s Kinsmen
Don’t Suffocate Us, Allow Us to Breathe
Kate Sambo, former chairlady of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWAOJ)—the female arm of the Nigeria Union of Journalists—also spoke with New Daily Prime, expressing her deep disappointment over the ongoing emergency rule.
In her remarks, she urged President Tinubu to allow Rivers women to breathe and stop suffocating the state with his declaration.
She explained the implications of the emergency rule, noting that had Governor Fubara remained in power, several projects would have been completed and commissioned.
“There’s no progress. Everything just stands still. Apart from the Governor’s House, nothing is happening. Even the Governor’s House—I don’t know whatever is happening there that is coming up to the people. The people now are stranded. I’m very, very sad about it.”
When asked about the women praising the president, she described their actions as ignorant and unfortunate, stating that many of those celebrating are themselves affected by the situation.
Pension Delays
Sambo, a pensioner, highlighted how since Vice Admiral Ibas assumed office, pensions have been delayed. She cited a broader breakdown in governance, with appointments revoked and unemployment on the rise.
“Money is not coming from anywhere. I’m a pensioner also. And our pension allowance used to be paid maybe by the 27th of the month. Now it’s not being paid. The month before last, I didn’t get my money until the second week of last month. Hunger is just biting. Then you come and talk about fuel scarcity,” she emphasized.
On the question of extending the emergency rule, she urged President Tinubu to lift it due to its devastating implications for all residents of the state, both indigenous and non-indigenes.
“Let’s breathe, because we are not breathing. We are suffocating right now,” she said, while criticizing the President’s decision to override the state’s budget, questioning whether he now acts as the governor of Rivers State—an act she deemed unconstitutional.
“If two people are quarreling, why should we suffer like this? And they are quarreling privately, not officially.”
When asked about the role of women in maintaining peace and order, she emphasized that women are naturally peacemakers, pointing to their peaceful protests as a demonstration of their constructive engagement.
“Well, we cannot play mother and daughter, because actually, we are not in power. We are not in a position to determine what anyone can do. We cannot do anything more than plead, which is what we are doing—peacefully,” she concluded.
Recall that on 18 March, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, leading to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Udu, and other elected officials, supported by a voice vote in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
