Lift state of emergency, Rivers women beg Tinubu

A coalition of concerned women in Rivers, known as Rivers Women Unite Prayer Group, has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lift the ongoing state of emergency in the state.

The women, in a press statement, expressed concern that the emergency rule is stifling economic activities and inflicting untold hardship on women and children.

The group, led by Dr. Vivian Ige-Elenwo and Chikodi Okpara, urged President Tinubu to “save Rivers people from the burden of the emergency rule,” describing it as a growing threat to peace, reconciliation, and development in the state.

They pledged their support for the President and appealed to him to take swift action by restoring democratic institutions and allowing Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resume his duties without hindrance.

However, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, warned protesting women against testing the will of the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.

Igbikiowubo reminded the women that the gazette imposing emergency rule granted the sole administrator “sweeping powers,” but emphasized that Ibas had chosen to exercise restraint.

Igbikiowubo also revealed that the Sole Administrator has been engaging with various stakeholder groups in the state, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, as part of his peace-building efforts.

He urged residents to exercise restraint and allow a cool head to prevail, stressing that the restoration of democratic institutions would not be achieved through protests or intimidation.