As political unrest deepens in Rivers State, the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has publicly criticized the Nigeria Police for allegedly clamping down on peaceful protests held in his support.
This development comes after two separate protests erupted in the state. In Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, a group of women backed the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. Meanwhile, in Ahoada East LGA, another group of women marched to demand Fubara’s reinstatement.
Last Friday, a coalition of women under the banner Rivers Women Unite for Sim staged a protest against the emergency rule and urged the return of Governor Fubara.
In contrast, a different group identified as Rivers Women for Peace and Good Governance, led by former commissioner Mrs. Inime Aguma, expressed support for the emergency declaration and the leadership of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as sole administrator of the state.
Dressed in white and carrying placards with messages like “Emergency rule is Constitutional” and “Investigate Fubara’s bloated contract awards,” they paraded through major roads in Port Harcourt, claiming the emergency rule brought peace and stability.
Mrs. Aguma told the press that the absence of a functioning legislature had crippled governance in Rivers. She also urged investigations into alleged misconduct by the previous administration, echoing accusations made by former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
However, the protest in Ahoada turned chaotic as security operatives fired teargas to disperse women marching against the emergency rule. The demonstrators, numbering over 200, came from Elleye and Engine communities and demanded the removal of the sole administrator.
Viral footage showed emotional scenes of elderly women crying and fainting due to the teargas. One distressed protester lamented the hunger and suffering endured since Fubara’s suspension, chanting, “Bring back our Governor. We love Sim. Say no to emergency rule!”
Fubara’s media aide, Jerry Omatsogunwa, condemned the unequal treatment of the two protest groups, praising the Ahoada protesters as “heroes of democracy” while accusing the police of double standards.
He also alleged that the sole administrator, Ibas, might be pursuing a hidden political agenda, possibly a governorship ambition in his native Cross River State.
The political conflict reached a tipping point when President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and the entire Rivers State House of Assembly. Tinubu then appointed Ibas as sole administrator for six months, a move supported by the National Assembly.
In response, 11 PDP governors filed a lawsuit against the President and the National Assembly at the Supreme Court, questioning the legality of the emergency rule and the suspension of elected officials.
Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has since begun preparing a response on behalf of the Federal Government.
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