In an unprecedented wave of defiance and civic activism, hundreds of women stormed the streets of Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, on Friday, staging a powerful protest tagged “Bring Back Our Fubara” in demand for the immediate reinstatement of the suspended state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Dr. Ngozi Odu.
The passionate demonstration, which began with a solemn prayer session at the symbolic Isaac Boro Park, quickly gained momentum as the determined women—comprising mothers, wives, activists, and professionals—marched through Aba Road to the Rivers State Government House. Clad in black and armed with placards bearing bold inscriptions such as “Bring Back Fubara,” “Save Our Democracy,” “God of Justice, Arise for Rivers,” and “Is the Law Different for Rivers State?”, the women sang protest songs and chanted slogans that reverberated across the city.
Condemning what they described as the “militarisation of governance” and “a silent coup against democracy,” the protesters decried the political situation in the state, where constitutional leadership has been suspended and replaced with what they called a “civilian dictatorship” orchestrated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We are not here for politics—we are here for justice,” declared one of the protest leaders. “This is not just about Fubara; it’s about the soul of Rivers State and the democratic rights of its people. If we don’t speak now, tomorrow may be too late.”
In a move that shocked many Nigerians and ignited national discourse, President Tinubu recently suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Odu, and the state House of Assembly members, following a prolonged power struggle between the governor and his estranged political godfather, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The federal government’s subsequent appointment of retired Navy Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as a sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the oil-rich state has sparked outrage among constitutional lawyers, civil society organisations, and democracy watchdogs. Critics have likened the move to an undeclared state of emergency and an affront to Nigeria’s federal structure.
“This is not democracy; this is tyranny in a civilian disguise,” said a protester who identified herself as a grandmother and retired teacher. “Governor Fubara was elected by the people. If elections no longer matter, then we are no better than a banana republic.”
The protesters demanded the immediate reversal of what they called the “unconstitutional hijack” of the state’s governance and urged President Tinubu to restore all democratic institutions in Rivers State without delay.
Despite the emotionally charged atmosphere, the protest remained peaceful, with no incidents of violence reported. The crowd dispersed after delivering a letter of demand to government representatives at the Government House.
As Rivers State continues to grapple with political instability, Friday’s protest adds to the chorus of voices across the nation calling for a swift return to democratic order, rule of law, and respect for the will of the people.
PIONEER NEWS 