Hundreds of women in Rivers State protested at a women’s empowerment event on Friday, demanding the reinstatement of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The protest was sparked when Dr. Theresa Ibas, wife of the state’s Sole Administrator, was invited to speak in place of the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu.
The event, part of the Renewed Hope Initiative, took place at the EUI Event Centre in Port Harcourt. Women, who had arrived dressed in colorful attire to welcome the First Lady, became outraged when Dr. Ibas took the stage instead.
“We want Valerie Sim-Fubara, not someone who doesn’t represent us,” one protester said. “We were told the First Lady would be here, but if not her, then our own First Lady, Mrs. Fubara, should speak to us,” another woman added.
The walkout escalated as the women chanted, “We want SIM,” referring to the suspended governor. Despite efforts by event organizers to calm the situation, the women made their voices clear, rejecting Ibas’ wife as a speaker and reaffirming their support for their governor and first lady.
“We believe in one President at a time, and one Governor at a time,” stated participant Favour Ekpeye.
