A large group of women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, staged a protest on Friday, demanding the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and an end to the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu, okay.ng reports.
The protesters marched to the State Government House, carrying placards with slogans like “Bring back Fubara” and “Save our democracy”. They criticized the appointment of Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, calling it unconstitutional and politically motivated.
The women appealed to President Tinubu and other prominent Nigerians to restore democratic governance in Rivers State.
The main reasons behind the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara include:
- Pipeline Vandalism: President Bola Tinubu cited the governor’s inability to control pipeline vandalism and militant activities in Rivers State, which led to a recent pipeline explosion.
- Political Crisis: A deep-seated political deadlock between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, has paralyzed governance in the state. This crisis involved impeachment attempts and a power struggle.
- Governance Failures: Tinubu also highlighted Fubara’s failure to rebuild the state’s House of Assembly after its demolition and his inability to facilitate the passage of an Appropriation Bill as ordered by the Supreme Court.
The suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara has significantly impacted the governance of Rivers State. The declaration of a state of emergency and the appointment of an administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, have led to a shift in power dynamics, with many viewing the move as unconstitutional and a breach of democratic norms.
This has created a governance vacuum, as elected officials are no longer in charge, potentially undermining the state’s ability to address local issues effectively.
