Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has condemned the police for their violent response to peaceful protests in Ahoada East Local Government Area.
The protests, led by women from Elleye and Engine communities, were in opposition to the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu, which resulted in the suspension of elected officials in the state.
Eyewitnesses reported that the demonstration, which began peacefully, was disrupted when police officers allegedly used tear gas to disperse the protesters. Several elderly women were said to have struggled to breathe, with some even fainting due to the effects of the tear gas. This was in stark contrast to a pro-emergency rally in Port Harcourt, where the police reportedly took no similar actions.
Governor Fubara’s Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, expressed disappointment over the police’s actions, calling them unjust and discriminatory. He emphasized the right of citizens to protest peacefully and criticized the police for their disproportionate response to the two groups of demonstrators.
The incident has further fueled political tensions in Rivers State, with increasing calls for the reinstatement of elected officials and a return to democratic governance. Governor Fubara’s administration is facing ongoing challenges in the wake of the emergency rule and the appointment of a sole administrator to manage the state’s affairs.
