Rivers Women Walk Out on Sole Administrator’s Wife, Demand Fubara’s Reinstatement
Political Tensions Boil Over at Empowerment Event
A tense situation unfolded in Port Harcourt on Friday as women attending an empowerment program walked out on Theresa Ibas, wife of Rivers State Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas. The incident occurred during an event organized by Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, where approximately 500 women were scheduled to receive empowerment items.
Video footage of the protest shows the women demanding the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The clip has since gone viral across social media platforms.
Background of the Political Crisis
The protest comes weeks after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, suspending Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all House of Assembly members for an initial six-month period. The president subsequently appointed Mr. Ibas as sole administrator, a move that has faced significant opposition.
How the Protest Unfolded
According to eyewitness accounts, tensions rose when Mrs. Ibas was introduced as the representative of First Lady Remi Tinubu, who was originally expected to attend the event in person.
“We want Valerie Sim-Fubara or Remi Tinubu to address us, not the wife of Ibas! We want Sim!” one protester could be heard shouting in the viral video. The crowd repeatedly chanted “Bring back Fubara” as they exited the venue.
One unidentified woman argued forcefully: “She (Mrs. Ibas) is a stranger. She does not have the right to address us. Let Fubara’s wife, Lady Valerie Fubara or President Tinubu come and address Rivers’ women. We need our governor back.”
Roots of the Political Conflict
The current crisis stems from a prolonged power struggle between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Fubara, over control of Rivers State’s political structures. This conflict initially divided the state assembly into two factions before culminating in the presidential declaration of a state of emergency.
For more details on this developing story, visit the Rivers State government website.
Credit: Original reporting by Premium Times