Rivers Women Demand Reinstatement Of Fubara As Governor: ‘We Won’t Rest’.
A determined group of women, united under the banner of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), staged a passionate protest on Monday, 9 June 2025, demanding the immediate reinstatement of Siminalayi Fubara as the governor of Rivers State. The women, clad in white and wielding placards, marched towards the Government House, calling for an end to the ongoing emergency rule and the restoration of democratic governance in the state.
The protest follows President Bola Tinubu’s controversial decision on 18 March 2025 to suspend Governor Fubara and declare a state of emergency in Rivers, appointing Ibok-Ete Ibas as the sole administrator. The move has sparked widespread debate, with many, including the RWUS, arguing that the situation in Rivers does not justify such drastic action or pose a genuine threat to national security.
Ibiwari Iyama, a prominent voice within the group, addressed the crowd, expressing gratitude for the transformation witnessed during Fubara’s brief tenure. “Even for the short period Sir Siminalayi Fubara became governor, he actually touched lives. There was so much transformation in the state,” she declared. “We have come in prayers, and we have told God we want the speedy restoration of our dearly beloved Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. We want the restoration of the glory of Rivers State.”
The women’s demands extend beyond reinstatement, as they also called for genuine reconciliation among the people of Rivers, praying for healing, peace, and the rekindling of trust. Their plea echoes earlier protests, including an April demonstration where women condemned the emergency rule and marched to the Government House, as well as a May incident where some women staged a walkout on the sole administrator’s wife, labelling her an “impostor” and demanding that Fubara’s wife address them instead.
As the Rivers Women Unite for Sim continue their campaign, they remain steadfast, blending prayers with protest in their fight for justice and the restoration of their chosen governor. The situation remains fluid, with private meetings between President Tinubu and Fubara hinting at possible reconciliation, though no official resolution has been announced as of 10 June 2025. The women of Rivers State, however, are clear: they will not rest until their demands are met.
