President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has continued to face opposition and resistance from the citizens. A group of women have taken to the streets of Port Harcourt to protest against the declaration of a state of emergency in the state and the suspension of the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and other elected officials in the state.

The protest, which reportedly began on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, later spread to some of the state’s major streets. Demonstrators carried placards and banners with inscriptions such as “Bring back Fubara”, “Save our democracy”, and “Is the law different for Rivers State?” “God of justice, arise for Rivers State”, “Respect our votes”, “Our expectations are shattered”, and “Bring back stability,” among others.

The women also marched in the city with different solidarity songs directed at President Bola Tinubu to end the state of emergency, recall Governor Fubara and lift the suspension he placed on all democratic institutions and democratically elected leaders in the state.

The protest stemmed from President Bola Tinubu’s March 18th 2025 declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers in a national broadcast, in which he announced the suspension of Governor Sim Fubara and his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, as well as the House of Assembly, initially for six months.

As a replacement, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator to manage the state’s affairs. He claimed that the prolonged tension in the state was leading to vandalism and unrest, which would negatively impact peace and stability in the state’s best interest.

The action was a reaction to the protracted political dispute in the state between Siminalayi Fubara’s camp and that of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, which resulted in various court battles and alleged vandalism incidents.

However, many Nigerians and stakeholders from the South-South geopolitical zone of the country condemned the president’s action, accusing him of undermining the law and constitution in his declaration.

Subsequently, the National Assembly later ratified the president’s declaration after adjusting some proclamations. Despite the involvement of the National Assembly, the citizens have refused to accept the existence of a state of emergency in the oil-rich state.

During the week, governors have also approached the Supreme Court to challenge the president’s declaration of a state of emergency and determine whether he is empowered to suspend or interfere with the offices of the elected governors and their deputies in the process of declaring a state of emergency in a state.

Recall that, to show its dissatisfaction with the development in Rivers State, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday also announced the relocation of its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Enugu.

The body, in a statement jointly signed by the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, and Chairman of the AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), stated: “Indeed, prior to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State on 18 March 2025, registration figures had soared, reflecting the excitement and eagerness of members to attend.”

“However, the unfortunate turn of events in Rivers State has understandably stalled the momentum and affected advanced 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.

As a result, the NBA decried the actions of the sole administrator in the state, which “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.”