Rivers Women Stage Protest, Demand an End to Emergency Rule in Rivers State

-

 


By John Ollor Obe.

In order to express their disapproval of the current state of emergency in Rivers State and call for the prompt return of democratic administration, the Rivers Women Unite Group organized a Liberation Walk in Port Harcourt earlier today.

The ladies denounced the emergency rule as politically driven and unlawful in a forcefully worded statement issued during the walk, calling it a "calculated power grab under the guise of national interest."  

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), the sole administrator, was accused of going beyond his authority and running the state more like a military occupation than a civilian caregiver.  In contrast to states like Zamfara, Borno, Benue, and Plateau that are dealing with rampant violence and terrorism, the group bemoaned the fact that Rivers State, which has been comparatively tranquil, was singled out for emergency rule.  The Rivers people are being treated like political pawns, they said, denouncing what they called a "dual system of laws."



In a five-point demand, the Rivers Women Unite Group, led by Dr. Nancy Chidi Nwankwo, Tamunobelema D. West, and Cynthia Amadi, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restore all democratic institutions in Rivers State, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara's return.  They also demanded that the emergency rule be lifted immediately, calling it unwarranted and a danger to Nigeria's democratic principles.  Elder statesmen and past leaders, like as Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and others, were urged by the group to step in and pressure the president to turn around the situation in Rivers State.

In the face of what they characterized as repression and marginalization, they pledged that the state's women and youth would not keep quiet.  The group reaffirmed that Rivers State should not be administered any differently than the rest of Nigeria and pledged to oppose peacefully.

John Ollor Obe

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Eleme Chiefs Dedicate Judgement to Late Monarch, Following Supreme Court Resolution on Oneh-eh Eleme Tussle

-
Image
  By Nwafor Oji Awala. Following a Supreme Court Resolution on Oneh-eh Eleme Tussle, the Eleme Council of Chiefs has dedicated its victory to the memory of the immediate past traditional ruler of Eleme land, HRM Emere Samuel Oluka Ejire. Led by His Royal Majesty, Emere Philip Osaro Obele, Oneh-eh Eleme XI, the Eleme Council of Chiefs visited the home of the former monarch in Agbonchia to dedicate the judgement to the memory of the late king. Members of the council were received by the eldest son of the late monarch, Prince Awalanta Ejire, who warmly ushered them into what used to serve as Royal Court of late King Ejire, but now his final rest-place. The council said the name of King Ejire will be written in gold considering the role he devotedly played to ensure that the Eleme chieftaincy institution was not battered and distorted by usurpers, stating that the selection process of Oneh-eh Eleme is no more to be balkanized and ridiculed by throne buccaneers.     ...
Read more

Ogbochure Association Attends Funeral of Her Treasurer, Late Dame Marilyn Ollor

-
Image
By Nwafor Oji Awala At the funeral service for her late treasurer and financial secretary, Dame Marilyn Chargba Ollor, held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Eleme, the Ogbochure Association of Eleme, under the direction of its president, Evang. Ngajo Sunday Oyor, joined family members, friends, and other mourners. She was buried at her home in Ogale, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. According to Evang. Ngajo Oyor, President of Ogbochure, the late Dame Ollor was a practical woman.  He said that she was devoted to her club responsibilities and a wonderful friend.  “We lost a great Ogbochure member today.  She will be sorely missed by us.  "I hope she finds peace." Lady Marilyn Ollor earned her First School Leaving Certificate while attending the State School Ogale. Before pursuing her national diploma at Ken Saro Wiwa Polytechnic, she also attended Comprehensive High School, Alesa Eleme. Marilyn was born into a Catholic Christian household, ...
Read more

STAKEHOLDERS REJECT APPEAL COURT RULING ON ONEH-EH NCHIA STOOL, DECLARE SUPPORT FOR OKPABI

-
Image
By Nwafor Oji Awala  Traditional stakeholders of Nchia District in Eleme Local Government Area convened on Friday at the royal court of Oneh-eh Nchia, Obarijima Palace in Ogale, to express firm opposition to the recent Appeal Court judgment that reaffirmed King Appolus Chu as the Oneh-eh Nchia X of Eleme Kingdom. The gathering, called by His Royal Highness, Emere Godwin Bebe Okpabi, drew together paramount rulers of the clans that make up Nchia, land priests, youth leaders, women chiefs, and other traditional figures. The meeting followed the June 13, 2025 decision of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, which dismissed all six grounds of appeal filed by Emere Bebe Okpabi under case number CA/PH/370/2023. The court upheld the earlier ruling of the Rivers State High Court, validating King Appolus Chu’s position as the Oneh-eh Nchia and affirming that the process followed aligned with local customs. However, at the stakeholders’ meeting, discontent was widespread. Speaker after spea...
Read more