Women stage solidarity march backing state of emergency

Women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, staged a peaceful protest on Monday in support of the state of emergency recently declared in the state. Dressed in white, the women converged at Garrison Bus Stop in the city centre around 8 a.m. before marching along Aba Road toward the Government House, singing solidarity songs in support […]

Women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, staged a peaceful protest on Monday in support of the state of emergency recently declared in the state.

Dressed in white, the women converged at Garrison Bus Stop in the city centre around 8 a.m. before marching along Aba Road toward the Government House, singing solidarity songs in support of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd).

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Emergency Rule is Constitutional,” “Rivers Women Voted for You, But You Made Us Your Slaves,” “Investigate Fubara’s Bloated Contract Awards,” “Say No to Dictatorship,” and “Rivers Women Need Peace in Our State.”

The demonstration came just days after another group, Rivers Women for Sim, staged a protest opposing the state of emergency and demanding the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

• Spokespersons must integrate nation building in public communication
• Emery: Home fans can inspire comeback against PSG

President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers last month, citing persistent political instability and recent security threats, including pipeline explosions.

The president suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all members of the House of Assembly for six months. He described the move as “inevitably compelling” based on security reports.

In their place, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibas as sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs pending resolution of the crisis — a decision that has sparked widespread debate across the country.

The governors of the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have firmly rejected the declaration of a state of emergency and have taken the matter to court to challenge what they describe as an unconstitutional imposition.

In contrast, the women protesters on Monday rallied in support of President Tinubu’s decision, insisting that the move was constitutional and necessary to restore order in the state.

Monday’s protest was led by Inime Aguma, former Commissioner for Social Welfare and a known loyalist of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Aguma had previously resigned from Governor Fubara’s cabinet at the height of the conflict between Fubara and Wike.

The protesting women claimed that the emergency rule had brought relative calm and stability to the state.

However, their actions have drawn criticism from some residents.

 

 Court orders service on Tinubu, Ibas, Fubara

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the service of the process challenging the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Justice James Omotosho on Monday also ordered the service of the court papers on the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and adjourned to May 21.

Earlier, counsel to the applicants, Ebun-Oluwa Adegboruwa (SAN), informed the court that they would need an adjournment to enable them to serve the processes.

Yirbari Israel Nulog, Nengim Ikpoemugh Royal and Gracious Eyoh-Sifumbukho are asking the court to set aside the appointment of Ibas as the sole administrator for Rivers State, and to restrain him from acting or continuing to act in that capacity in pursuance of his appointment on March 18.

They are seeking among others, “An order of injunction restraining the 1st (Tinubu), 3rd (Ibas) defendants, including their agents, representatives or such other persons acting on their behalf from treating or continuing to treat the deputy governor and members of the House of Assembly as having been suspended by the 1st defendant (Tinubu).”

They are contending that by virtue of Section 1(1) and (2) and 176(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the plaintiffs, who are indigenes and residents of Rivers State of Nigeria, are entitled to have a democratically elected Governor of Rivers State who shall be the chief executive of the state.

 

Furore over NBA conference relocation from Rivers

Last weekend’s announcement of the relocation of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Enugu State, due to the emergency rule in the state, has caused some furore.

While the administration in Rivers State is demanding a refund of the sum of N300 million it paid towards the conference organisation, the NBA describes the fund as a gift.

The president of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), disclosed in a letter dated 10th April, 2025, and made available to newsmen, that the relocation was the overwhelming position of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the broader membership of the association.

He said the initial plan to hold the conference in Port Harcourt was met with widespread enthusiasm, but the state of emergency declared on March 18, 2025, and the appointment of a retired Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator stalled preparations for the conference. 

“Currently, Rivers State is being governed by a retired military officer, appointed as a sole administrator, who operates with a command-style approach that disregards constitutional provisions, court decisions, and pending litigation.

 “His actions have undermined democratic institutions and processes, flouting the rule of law with impunity. Though clad in civilian attire, he governs as though the state is under military rule,” the letter read.     

The statement read: “The NEC reaffirmed that the state of emergency declared in Rivers State violates Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution. It further noted that the suspension of elected officials and democratic institutions contravenes Sections 11 and 188 of the Constitution.

“The purported ratification by the National Assembly, executed via voice vote rather than the constitutionally required two-thirds majority, amounts to a grave constitutional subversion. Even if the proper procedure had been followed, it would not legitimise an unconstitutional proclamation.

“Given these undemocratic developments, Port Harcourt can no longer be considered a justifiable venue for the 2025 AGC. To hold our flagship event in such circumstances would amount to a tacit endorsement of constitutional violations and subversion of the rule of law.

“The NBA has taken a principled position in accordance with the law: the appointment of a Sole Administrator in Rivers State is unconstitutional. Consequently, and in alignment with the overwhelming position of NEC and the broader membership, we are compelled to relocate the 2025 AGC to a state where constitutional democracy remains intact.”

 

NBA should demonstrate integrity

Meanwhile, the government in Rivers State has asked the NBA to refund the sum of N300 million it paid for the hosting of the conference.

In a statement on Monday, the government said the NBA’s position “overlooks the constitutional basis for the current administration in Rivers State”.

The statement signed by Hector Igbikiowubo, senior special assistant on media to the Rivers State Government, said the declaration of the emergency rule in the state was a “necessary response to a breakdown of public order and democratic processes.”

“Contrary to the NBA’s assertions, the sole administrator has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to restoring democratic institutions as soon as practicable,” the statement reads.

“The NBA, as a body of legal minds, should know better than to reduce a complex constitutional matter to political sensationalism.

“While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association — despite its ‘principled position’— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.

“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”

 

N300m is for support, not for hosting rights – NBA

In a further reaction, the chairman of the NBA AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), said the N300 million paid to the association was financial support for the conference and not for hosting rights.

Obegolu described the money from the Rivers State as a gift that is not tied to any “purported hosting right for the NBA AGC”, adding that such financial support, as received from others, are in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships.

He said recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organisations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.

The statement read further: “The attention of the Annual General Conference planning committee has been drawn to a statement credited to the Administrator of Rivers State to the effect that Rivers State Government paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025.

“We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not the subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights. The host city has no hosting rights, and there is no representation by the NBA that the conference must be held in a chosen city.

“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organisations, agencies of government and state governments for support, and the support requested is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.”