A coalition of women under the banner of Rivers Women Unite for SIM has renewed calls for the immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reinstate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lift the ongoing state of emergency.
Comrade Glory Sunday, Media Officer of Rivers Women Unite for SIM in a statement after the group’s weekly programme review on Thursday in Port Harcourt, said the state has now endured four months under emergency rule — a situation she described as a “democratic vacuum” detrimental to development, inclusion, and participatory governance.
While acknowledging that relative peace has returned to the state through the efforts of leaders and stakeholders, the women insisted that the continued suspension of democratic institutions has stalled grassroots development initiatives and disrupted people-centered programmes.
“Democracy gives voice and visibility to women and youths,” the group stated. “Under the current emergency rule, many of the inclusive programmes that empowered our communities have been halted. Rivers State needs to return to constitutional order so that growth can resume.”
The group praised peace efforts by the Federal Government and appealed to all political actors to fast-track actions toward restoring full democratic governance in the state.
In a related statement, Rivers Women Unite for SIM also extended condolences to President Tinubu, former First Lady Aisha Buhari, and the family of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died recently at the age of 82. The women prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and strength for the bereaved family.
