Rivers Women Hold Solidarity March in Support of Emergency Rule
On Monday, women in Rivers State took to the streets of Port Harcourt to show their support for the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. This marks the first public rally held in favor of the emergency rule, which was declared on March 18, 2025.
Following the declaration, President Tinubu suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly. He appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), former Chief of Naval Staff, as the state’s sole administrator. Upon taking office, Ibas suspended all political appointees and heads of government departments and agencies.
The rally saw women dressed in white attire as they gathered to show their backing for the state of emergency. This demonstration came in response to recent protests by women loyal to Governor Fubara, organized under the group Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS).
The women carried placards with messages such as “State of Emergency is Constitutional” and “No Tribal War in Rivers State, No More Fubara,” voicing their support for the actions taken by the federal government.
Hon. Gladys Nweke, a former vice-chairman of Etche Local Government Area and one of the rally’s organizers, spoke with journalists about the march. She stated, “We are here to show solidarity in support of the state of emergency in Rivers State. Since the declaration, peace has returned to our state. We no longer hear of killings or cult-related activities.”
