Thousands of women from Rivers State have taken to the streets to protest the recent declaration of a state of emergency in the state, labelling it a “politically motivated manoeuvre” aimed at undermining democracy.
The women, who gathered under the banner of justice and democracy, expressed their deep concern and total rejection of the move, which they believe is not driven by any genuine threat to national security.
The protesters criticised Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator, for overstepping his limited powers and revealing a “calculated power grab” under the guise of national interest.
They questioned why the federal authorities would impose a state of emergency in Rivers State while ignoring dire security situations in other states, such as Borno, Yobe, and Kaduna, where terrorists have overrun entire communities and brutally murdered thousands of innocent citizens.
The women also condemned the emerging dual system of laws in Nigeria, where one set of rules applies to Rivers State and another to other states.
In a show of solidarity, the women wore white T-shirts and red and blue fez caps and carried placards with messages such as “Allow Governor Sim to work in peace” and “Peace is priceless; give peace a chance.”
The protest was attended by various women’s groups.
The group, led by Dr Mrs Nancy Chidi Nwankwo, called for the immediate return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who they claimed was democratically elected.
Nwankwo said, “The overreach of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), is a glaring indicator of this political conquest. His actions, which go far beyond the limited powers of a placeholder, betray the impartiality expected of his office and reveal the real intention behind this emergency rule, a calculated power grab under the guise of national interest.
“We find it utterly confounding that the federal authorities in Abuja, relying on conjecture and manufactured narratives, would choose to descend with the full weight of force on Rivers State, deploying a sledgehammer to kill a fly, while ignoring the dire security emergencies ravaging states such as Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue. In these states, terrorists have overrun entire communities, taken control of local governments, and brutally murdered thousands of innocent citizens. Yet, no such declaration of emergency has been made.”
However, in their protest letter, they issued a passionate plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinstate democratic institutions in the state.
They also demanded an end to the “unconstitutional military rule masked as a state of emergency”, which they deem unjustified and unacceptable.
The women also seek intervention from respected Nigerians, including former presidents and diplomats, to prevail upon President Tinubu to reverse this decision.
They have specifically named individuals such as General Abdulsalami Abubakar, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, and others to intervene in the matter.
She added: “We call upon eminent and respected Nigerians—including former Presidents General Abdulsalami Abubakar, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari, and Dr Goodluck Jonathan, as well as distinguished diplomats such as Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Dr. Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Prof. Tanko Yakassai, Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, Chief Victor Attah, and Senator David Mark—to urgently intervene and prevail upon President Tinubu to reverse this injustice and restore full democratic governance in Rivers State.”
The group vowed to continue peaceful resistance, demanding their right to freedom, justice, and self-determination.
They also called on civil society organisations, human rights groups, and the international community to condemn this assault on democracy.
Women Protest State Of Emergency Declaration In Rivers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
