Hundreds of women took to the streets of Port Harcourt on Friday in a powerful demonstration demanding the return of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The protest, which kicked off along the bustling Aba Road and ended at the Rivers State Government House, drew women from various backgrounds — united under one cause: restoring democratic order in the state.
Waving placards that read “Bring back Fubara”, “Save our democracy”, “Is the law different for Rivers State?”, and “God of justice, arise for Rivers State,” the women marched in solidarity, singing and chanting as they went.
Identifying themselves as mothers and wives, the demonstrators made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Tinubu, calling on him to reverse the suspension of Governor Fubara and reinstate democratic governance in the state.
Many of the participants described the current political situation in Rivers as a “military rule disguised as a state of emergency,” warning that the people of the state deserve better than the current political arrangement.
“We are a peaceful people and do not deserve this kind of injustice. The governor has been doing his job despite the distractions. What is happening now is not democracy,” one of the protesters said.
The rally, which remained calm and orderly, included women from different age groups and communities. According to the organizers, their mission wasn’t political — it was about defending the core values of democracy in Rivers State.
“We are here to defend our votes and the sanctity of our democracy. This is beyond Fubara; it’s about justice and the future of Rivers State,” a protest leader explained.
Before the demonstration began, the women held a prayer session at Isaac Boro Park, seeking divine intervention and peace for their state.
Governor Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state’s House of Assembly were suspended amid a prolonged political crisis. Following the suspension, President Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) as sole administrator to oversee state affairs — a move that has sparked widespread criticism and public outcry.
