Hundreds of women in Rivers State gathered at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt to protest President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency, calling it a threat to democracy and local governance.
Under the banner of Women Unite for Sim, the women, drawn from all 23 local government areas, prayed for divine intervention and justice.
Group leader Ibim Semenitari condemned the decision to impose a Sole Administrator on the state, arguing that it undermines democratic leadership.
“We are praying for peace and for God’s judgment on those who seek to harm Rivers State,” she said. “We respect the president’s office, but we believe he acted on poor advice. Now, he must prove whether this decision truly serves the people’s best interests.”
She urged residents to heed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s call for peace, stressing that the women would remain law-abiding but resolute. “Our governor asked us to stay peaceful, and we will. But we will not stay silent,” she declared.
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Nollywood actress Hilda Dokubo also spoke at the gathering, describing the emergency declaration as a battle for Rivers State’s economic future. She warned that the move could derail recent progress, including road construction in riverine areas and improved civil servant wages.
“For the first time, our riverine communities are seeing real development, and the economy is recovering. Why disrupt that progress?” Dokubo asked. “This is about control—someone wants to seize the state’s resources.”
The emergency rule has sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that it strips Rivers people of their right to self-governance. While the presidency insists the decision is in the nation’s best interest, many residents fear it will worsen political instability.
Despite the uncertainty, the women vowed to keep pushing for accountability through peaceful means. “We will keep praying, keep speaking, and we will not allow anyone to silence us,” Semenitari said.
