Rivers Women Walk Out on Ibas’ Wife, Demand Suspended Governor Fubara’s Wife Address Them

A major protest erupted on Thursday at the EUI Centre in Port Harcourt as a large group of Rivers women walked out of a women’s empowerment event after Theresa Ibas, wife of the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Retd.), began addressing the gathering.

The women, visibly angered, chanted “We want Sim,” in reference to suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and demanded that only his wife, Valerie Fubara, be allowed to speak to them. The protest unfolded during an event organized under the Renewed Hope Initiative and was captured in widely circulated videos shared on social media by Port Harcourt Socials.

The disruption follows the political turmoil triggered by President Bola Tinubu’s decision in March to suspend Governor Fubara and declare a state of emergency in the state. Tinubu subsequently appointed Ibas, a known ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, as interim leader. Many women’s groups in Rivers have viewed this move as an imposition, and Thursday’s walkout underscored their growing frustration.

As Theresa Ibas attempted to deliver her remarks, chants of disapproval intensified. Protesters rejected her presence, with one woman shouting, “Who is that impostor? Ibas’s wife is addressing Rivers women. Who is she? Come on, pack your load, Madam, we don’t want you.” Others called for First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to intervene and insisted that Valerie Fubara be brought in to address them instead.