‘We Want Sim!’: Rivers Women Reject Ibas’ Wife At Empowerment Event
A large group of women in Rivers State staged a dramatic walkout on Thursday during a women empowerment event at the EUI Centre in Port Harcourt after Theresa Ibas, wife of the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Retd.), attempted to address them.
The women, visibly angered, insisted they would only listen to Valerie, the wife of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The event, held under the Renewed Hope Initiative, turned rowdy as videos posted by Gist Reports on X captured the moment the women rose in unison and exited the venue, chanting, “We want Sim.”
The protest comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Fubara and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State amid political tensions involving Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
As part of the federal intervention, Tinubu appointed Ibas—believed to be an ally of Wike—as interim leader of the state, a move that has sparked outrage among Fubara’s supporters, especially within women’s groups.
Rejecting Theresa Ibas outright, the women declared her an outsider.
“Who is that impostor? Ibas’ wife is addressing Rivers women. Who is she? Come on, pack your load, Madam, we don’t want you,” one of the protesters shouted.
Another woman added, “We need Mrs Oluremi Tinubu to come and address us. She is the one we have been waiting for. We don’t need a stranger. We want Sim right now. Sim should come today, not tomorrow.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
