Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has criticized the Nigeria Police (NP) for the heavy-handed treatment metedout on protesters in Ahoada East, Rivers State.
Fubara described the treatment as a clear display of double standards and a threat to democratic freedoms.
His reaction follows rising political tension in Rivers State following the declaration of a state of emergency and the appointment of retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas as the sole administrator by President Bola Tinubu.
On Monday, two parallel protests took place across the state. In Port Harcourt, demonstrators rallied in support of the emergency rule, while in Ahoada East, protesters called for the reinstatement of Governor Fubara.
While the Port Harcourt rally, organized under the group “Rivers Women for Peace and Good Governance,” was conducted peacefully, the protesters in Ahoada East were dispersed by security operatives using teargas.
“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.”
In stark contrast, the Port Harcourt protesters marched peacefully from Garrison Junction to Isaac Park, carrying placards that read: “Emergency rule is constitutional” and “Investigate Fubara’s bloated contracts.” The demonstration was led by former Social Welfare Commissioner, Mrs. Inime Aguma.
“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. She also commended the sole administrator’s leadership for restoring peace and governance.
Fubara’s aide, Omatsogunwa, condemned the support for the emergency rule, labeling it “support for illegality.” He also accused the sole administrator of harboring political ambitions in Cross River State and warned, “The whole world should keep an eye on the state Commissioner of Police and the sole administrator.”
The crisis deepened after President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly, following months of political unrest. The emergency declaration, endorsed by the National Assembly, is currently being challenged in court by 11 PDP governors who have engaged top legal minds to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is said to be preparing a formal legal response on behalf of the Presidency.
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