Rivers Women Walk Out on Sole Administrator’s Wife, Demand Address from Suspended Governor Fubara’s Wife

Tensions escalated in Rivers State on Thursday as hundreds of women staged a dramatic walkout at a women’s empowerment event in Port Harcourt, rejecting the presence of Theresa Ibas, wife of the state’s recently appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.).

The event, held at the EUI Centre under the banner of the Renewed Hope Initiative—a federal program aimed at supporting women across Nigeria—was expected to be a show of unity and empowerment.

However, it quickly descended into protest when Mrs. Ibas rose to address the audience.

Chanting slogans like “We want Sim” and “Sim’s wife or no one,” the women abruptly stood and exited the hall, denouncing Mrs. Ibas as an “impostor” and demanding that only Valerie Fubara, wife of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, be allowed to speak on behalf of Rivers women.

“Who is that impostor? Ibas’s wife is addressing Rivers women? Who is she? Come on, pack your load, madam—we don’t want you!” one visibly angry participant shouted.

Another protester added,

“We need Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu to come and address us. We don’t need a stranger. We want Sim right now. Sim should come today, not tomorrow.”

The walkout is the latest sign of public unrest following President Bola Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State in March.

The move, which effectively removed Governor Fubara from power and appointed Vice Admiral Ibas as sole administrator, has sparked fierce opposition from local groups and civil society.

Fubara’s political rift with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has deeply polarized the state. The appointment of Ibas, seen as aligned with Wike, is widely viewed by Fubara supporters as an imposition from Abuja and an affront to the state’s democratic process.

Women’s groups, who have been vocal backers of Governor Fubara, say they will not recognize any representation that does not stem from the elected administration.

“We’re not here for politics,” one organizer said, “but if you ignore the will of the people and try to dictate who speaks for us, we will not accept it. Mrs. Fubara is the only legitimate First Lady as far as Rivers women are concerned.”

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who oversees the Renewed Hope Initiative, was expected to make a virtual appearance or send a representative, but she was not present at the event, further fueling disappointment among the attendees.

As political uncertainty continues to cast a shadow over Rivers State, Thursday’s protest serves as a vivid reminder that citizens—particularly women—are ready to assert their voices and demand recognition of their democratic choices.

Whether the federal government and newly installed interim leadership will respond to these sentiments remains to be seen.