By Our Reporter
Women in Rivers State stormed parts of Port Harcourt, the state capital, in a peaceful protest against the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
The women who hit the road on Friday, described the emergency rule as politically contrived ostensibly to undermine democracy.
Their leader, Nancy Chidi Nwankwo, said the emergency rule foisted on the state is unwarranted, arguing that the situation at the time of imposition, and even now, in the state did not constitute any genuine threat to national security.
They called for the immediate restoration of all democratic institutions in Rivers State, including the reinstatement of the elected governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The women also condemned what they described as an unconstitutional imposition of military rule disguised as a state of emergency, calling it unjustified and unacceptable.
The group appealed to well meaning Nigerians, including former presidents and military leaders – General Abdulsalami Abubakar, General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the Rivers matter.
Acting under the aegis of Women Unite Prayer Group led by Dr. Nancy Chidi Nwankwo, Tamunobelema D. West and Cynthia Amadi, also urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse his decision on Rivers, terming it a grave injustice, however, reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful resistance, vowing to remain unrelenting in defence of freedom, justice and self-determination.
They said: “Women of Rivers, gathered for justice and democracy, and express total rejection of the state of emergency declared over our beloved state.
“This imposition is not driven by any genuine threat to national security but clearly a politically motivated maneuver aimed at subjugating our people and undermining our democracy.
“The overreach of the Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), is glaring indicator of the political conquest. His actions, which go far beyond the limited powers of a placeholder, betray the impartiality expected of his office and reveal the real intention behind this emergency rule.
“In these states, terrorists have overrun entire communities, taken control of local governments, and brutally murdered thousands of innocent citizens. Yet, no such declaration of emergency has been made.
“If the National Assembly’s intention was truly to prevent breakdown of law and order in Rivers, a state that has remained relatively peaceful and has recorded no fatal incident, why has it failed to take even more decisive action in states where chaos and bloodshed are daily occurrences?
“The unconstitutional and provocative actions of the Sole Administrator further expose the underlying political agenda at play. What we are witnessing is not governance. it is occupation. Not democracy, but autocracy.
“Rivers people, especially women, are outraged by what is fast becoming a dual system of laws in Nigeria, one for other states, and another, unjust and repressive, for Rivers. We reject this blatant political invasion and the imposition of emergency rule in its entirety.”
They also appealed to distinguished diplomats such as Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Dr. Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Prof. Tanko Yakassai, Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, Chief Victor Attah, and Sen David Mark, to urgently prevail upon President Tinubu to restore full democratic governance in Rivers.
They said: “Women and youths of Rivers State can no longer remain silent in the face of intimidation, repression, and disenfranchisement. We will continue to rise in peaceful resistance and demand our right to freedom, justice, and self-determination.
“We call on civil society organizations, rights groups and the international community to speak out against this assault on democracy. There is no credible security threat in Rivers to justify this state of emergency. The narrative being peddled is entirely fictitious, crafted to validate a political takeover.
“Rivers State is the heart of the Niger Delta, a region of immense national significance. Peace has prevailed in our communities. We will not allow anyone to steal our voices or subvert our will. Democracy must be restored.”
