Port Harcourt, Nigeria – April 10, 2025 — A coalition of women under the banner Rivers Women Unite has vehemently condemned the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it a politically motivated attempt to suppress democratic governance and impose authoritarian control.
During a “Liberation Walk” held in Port Harcourt, the group — led by prominent figures including Dr. Nancy Chidi Nwankwo, Tamunobelema D. West, and Cynthia Amadi — described the emergency rule as “an occupation disguised as governance.” 
Speaking on behalf of the group, Dr. Nwankwo stated, “This imposition is not driven by any genuine threat to national security. It is a calculated political maneuver aimed at subjugating our people and dismantling constitutional democracy in Rivers State.”
The group directed sharp criticism at the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), accusing him of overreaching his constitutional mandate and exposing the true motive behind the declaration. “The emergency rule is not a response to insecurity. It is a power grab,” they said.
They also questioned the federal government’s rationale, pointing out that states plagued by greater insecurity — such as Borno, Zamfara, and Kaduna — have never faced such drastic intervention. “Rivers State has remained relatively stable. Yet, the federal authorities have descended with the full weight of force, deploying a sledgehammer to kill a fly,” the group noted. 
Demands for Democratic Restoration
Rivers Women Unite issued several demands, including:
– The immediate restoration of all democratic institutions in Rivers State.
– The return of the duly elected Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS.
– An end to what they called “unconstitutional military rule” disguised as emergency governance.
The group called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the declaration and respect democratic norms.
They also appealed to elder statesmen — including General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan — to intervene in the crisis and help restore democratic order.
Call for National and Global Solidarity
Declaring their continued commitment to peaceful resistance, the women urged civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and the international community to speak out against the situation.
“We will not be silenced. We will not be sidelined. The people of Rivers demand justice, and democracy must be restored,” the statement concluded.
The protest signals a growing wave of public disapproval toward the emergency rule in Rivers State, as voices from across Nigeria continue to call for its reversal.
