Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has condemned the Nigeria Police Force for using teargas to disperse peaceful protesters in Ahoada East, describing the action as “high-handed” and a threat to democracy.
According to The PUNCH, the protest, led by over 200 women from Elleye and Engine communities, was staged against the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State and demanded the reinstatement of Fubara.
Security personnel were said to have fired teargas at the protesters, causing panic and distress. Emotional scenes unfolded as elderly women were seen weeping, with one reportedly collapsing during the chaos.
“The police seem to have double standards,” said Jerry Omatsogunwa, Special Adviser to Fubara on Electronic Media.
“While the women in Ahoada were tear-gassed for protesting in favour of democracy, those in Port Harcourt, who support the emergency rule, were protected and even escorted by the same security operatives.”
In contrast, a group known as Rivers Women for Peace and Good Governance rallied in Port Harcourt in support of the emergency rule. Dressed in white, the women marched through Aba Road to Isaac Park, carrying placards with messages like “Emergency rule is constitutional” and “Rivers women need peace in our state.”
The rally was led by former Commissioner for Social Welfare, Inime Aguma, who praised President Tinubu and the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.).
Aguma stated, “We thank the President for declaring a state of emergency. Rivers women want peace and good governance, and we believe this is the path forward.”
She alleged that the legislature in the state had long been crippled and cited the destruction of the Assembly complex as a turning point. “Taxpayers’ money was used to demolish a functional structure. That’s an aberration,” she said.
Omatsogunwa, however, hailed the women from Ahoada as “heroes of democracy” and accused the Port Harcourt group of supporting “illegality.”
He questioned the neutrality of the police and hinted that the sole administrator might have political ambitions in Cross River State, suggesting a conflict of interest.
“We’ve heard from Dr. George Nwaeke about bloated contract awards under the former administration. The police should investigate this instead of suppressing protesters,” Omatsogunwa added.
The political tension in Rivers State intensified following the declaration of emergency rule by President Tinubu, who also suspended Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the state assembly.
Tinubu appointed Ibas as sole administrator for an initial six-month period, a move backed by the National Assembly.
In response, 11 governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have taken the matter to the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the President’s actions.
The governors have engaged 11 Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other lawyers to argue that the President lacks the power to suspend elected officials and impose emergency rule.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has begun drafting the Federal Government’s response to the suit.
The Rivers crisis continues to deepen as concerns grow over democracy, constitutional rights, and the treatment of citizens voicing dissent.
