Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has criticized the Nigeria Police over their handling of anti-emergency rule protests in Ahoada East, describing their actions as “double standards” and a threat to democratic freedoms.
The criticism follows rising political tensions in Rivers State after the federal government declared a state of emergency and President Bola Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas (retd.) as the state’s sole administrator.
On Monday, two protests took place across the state—one in Port Harcourt in support of the emergency rule, and another in Ahoada East calling for Fubara’s reinstatement.
While the Port Harcourt rally remained peaceful under the group “Rivers Women for Peace and Good Governance,” the protest in Ahoada was disrupted by security forces who fired teargas to disperse the demonstrators.
“Old women came out in Ahoada to exercise their right to protest… the police teargassed them to the extent that one of them, an old woman, fainted,” said Jerry Omatsogunwa, Special Adviser to Governor Fubara on Electronic Media.
“The police have two standards for the same activity. Those women in Ahoada are the heroes of democracy,” he added.
Videos from Ahoada showed women running from clouds of teargas, some kneeling and weeping while chanting “We want Fubara, we want peace.” One protester cried out, “We are hungry, we are suffering and dying.
Sim is our hope. We say bring back our Governor.”
In contrast, the Port Harcourt march moved from Garrison Junction to Isaac Park without incident, with participants holding placards that read, “Emergency rule is Constitutional” and “Investigate Fubara’s bloated contracts.”
Former Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mrs. Inime Aguma, led the pro-emergency protest.
“We thank the President for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State. Our democratic structure was decimated. The House of Assembly was comatose,” Aguma said, adding praise for the sole administrator’s efforts in restoring governance and stability.
However, Fubara’s camp denounced the support for the emergency measure, calling it “supporting illegality” and alleging that the administrator harbors political ambitions in Cross River State.
“The whole world should keep an eye on the state Commissioner of Police and the sole administrator,” Omatsogunwa warned.
The political unrest deepened after President Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, and the state assembly, following months of intense political gridlock.
The National Assembly’s backing of the emergency declaration is now being contested in court, with 11 PDP governors challenging it at the Supreme Court and engaging top legal experts.
Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is reportedly working on an official defense on behalf of the federal government.
As the state confronts a turbulent chapter, voices across the political divide are calling for calm, respect for constitutional processes, and a return to democratic order.