Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has lashed out at the Nigeria Police Force following a violent crackdown on demonstrators protesting against the recent state of emergency imposed in the state.
Fubara accused the police of operating with “double standards” after security forces fired teargas to disperse a crowd of mostly elderly women protesting in Ahoada East on Monday, while a pro-government rally in Port Harcourt proceeded without incident.
“This is an outright assault on democratic expression,” Fubara said through his Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa. “Old women came out peacefully to demand justice, but were teargassed to the point where one even collapsed. Meanwhile, those in support of the emergency rule were allowed to march freely. This is unacceptable.”
The contrasting demonstrations come amid growing political unrest in Rivers State, following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency and the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as sole administrator. The move, which also saw Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly suspended, has drawn fierce opposition from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and civil society groups.
In Ahoada, protesters were seen in video footage weeping, chanting, and calling for Fubara’s reinstatement. “We are hungry, we are suffering and dying. Sim is our hope,” one woman cried out, visibly distressed after inhaling teargas.
In stark contrast, a pro-emergency rally held in Port Harcourt under the banner Rivers Women for Peace and Good Governance unfolded peacefully, with former Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma, thanking President Tinubu for what she described as a “restoration of order.” Protesters carried placards defending the emergency rule and accusing the Fubara administration of mismanaging public funds.
Aguma claimed that the democratic structure in the state had “collapsed,” and praised the sole administrator’s leadership for restoring stability. But Fubara’s camp has dismissed these claims as political propaganda.
“The emergency rule is illegal and the support it’s getting is based on falsehood,” said Omatsogunwa. “The sole administrator is only interested in building political capital in Cross River, not in restoring governance in Rivers. The world should watch closely.”
The emergency declaration, which was approved by the National Assembly, is currently being challenged in court by 11 PDP governors, who have taken the matter to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is reportedly preparing a formal response on behalf of the Presidency.
