There is a fresh wave of protest in Rivers State as scores of women have taken to the streets in support of the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), and President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency.

The demonstrators, armed with placards and banners marched across major streets of Port Harcourt.

The women called for a thorough investigation into what they described as “inflated contracts” allegedly awarded under the suspended administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

This is coming just three days after another group of women held a protest condemning the suspension of Fubara and denouncing the emergency rule.

President Tinubu had, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political instability and governance breakdown. The move, widely criticised by many, led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly.

In their place, Tinubu appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibas as sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs during the six-month emergency period.

The sole administrator has gone ahead to suspend officials and make fresh appointments to state institutions.