In a sweeping display of civic defiance, a massive assembly of women marched through the heart of Port Harcourt on Friday, demanding the immediate reinstatement of suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Draped in symbolic white and chanting soulful songs of unity, the protesters—identifying as mothers, wives, and guardians of democracy—paraded along the bustling Aba Road before converging on the Rivers State Government House.
Their message was unmistakable, captured on placards that read: “Bring Back Fubara,” “Save Our Democracy,” and “Is the Law Different for Rivers State?”
The protest comes amid a deepening political crisis in the oil-rich state, which recently saw the controversial suspension of Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly.
In their place, President Bola Tinubu appointed a sole administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas—a move the demonstrators condemned as undemocratic and unconstitutional.
“We are not here for politics. We are here to protect democracy,” one protest leader said, addressing reporters. “This is about the future of Rivers State, about justice, and about the will of the people.”
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Before their march, the women gathered for a solemn prayer session at Isaac Boro Park, calling on divine intervention and urging the federal government to reverse what they termed a creeping military-style takeover masked as civil governance.
Throughout the demonstration, participants emphasized the peaceful nature of their protest and praised Fubara’s resilience in the face of political turmoil.
“The governor has remained committed to serving the people, even under these harsh conditions. This is not the democracy we voted for,” one protester told Channels Television.
The protest adds another layer of pressure on federal authorities as political tensions in Rivers State threaten to unsettle the broader Niger Delta region.
As the chants of “justice” and “restore democracy” echoed through the streets, one message was clear: the women of Rivers State are not backing down.