‘Rivers Women’ Stage Fierce Rally, Back Controversial State of Emergency

Women in Rivers State staged a rally in Port Harcourt on Monday to show their support for the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025. This marked the first time a rally was organized in favor of the emergency rule, which followed the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly. In place of the suspended officials, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), was appointed as the sole administrator of the state. Upon assuming office, Ibas suspended all political appointees and heads of government departments and agencies.

The women, dressed in white attire, gathered in response to previous protests led by supporters of the suspended governor under the banner of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS). Carrying placards with messages such as “State of Emergency Is Constitutional” and “No Tribal War in Rivers State, No More Fubara,” they voiced their backing for the emergency rule.

One of the organizers, Hon. Gladys Nweke, a former vice chairman of Etche Local Government Area, explained that the march was a show of solidarity for the state’s emergency status. She emphasized that since the declaration, peace had returned to the region, noting a significant decline in killings and cult activities.