Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has condemned the Nigeria Police for their harsh response to anti-emergency rule protesters in Ahoada East. He described their actions as “double standards” and a violation of democratic rights.
This statement comes as political tension rises in Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency and the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the state’s sole administrator by President Bola Tinubu.
On Monday, two protests occurred in Rivers State: one in Port Harcourt supporting the emergency rule and another in Ahoada East calling for Governor Fubara’s reinstatement. The Port Harcourt rally, organized by “Rivers Women for Peace and Good Governance,” remained peaceful, while the Ahoada protest was violently dispersed with teargas.
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Jerry Omatsogunwa, Fubara’s Special Adviser on Electronic Media, reported that elderly women participating in the Ahoada protest were met with teargas, leading to distress among the crowd. Many cried out, “We want Fubara, we want peace,” expressing their hunger and suffering.
In contrast, the Port Harcourt protesters positively received the emergency rule, with some placards stating, “Emergency rule is Constitutional.” Former Social Welfare Commissioner Mrs. Inime Aguma led this demonstration and praised the administration for restoring governance in the state.
Omatsogunwa criticized the support for emergency rule, accusing the sole administrator of having political ambitions. He warned that both the state Commissioner of Police and the sole administrator should be closely observed.
This political crisis escalated after President Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the State Assembly, following months of unrest. The emergency declaration is now facing legal challenges from eleven PDP governors who are seeking to overturn it in court.
