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Summary
Ijaw women in Rivers State protested against Wike’s remarks, blocking his access to a reception in his honour. Their demonstration, backed by the Ijaw National Congress and local traditional leaders, highlighted mounting tensions over Wike’s stance on Governor Fubara. The situation escalated as police used tear gas to disperse protesters, further intensifying political discord in the region.
On Saturday, March 15, 2025, Ijaw women staged a protest in Rivers State by blocking the road in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State. This is to prevent the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from attending a reception in his honour.
This protest happened as a result of a previous statement by Wike about the women’s state. Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, Mar. 12, 2025, in an interview, Wike had labelled the Ijaw as a “minority of minorities” in Rivers and other South-South states—excluding Bayelsa—a statement that sparked widespread condemnation by the Ijaw people.
Wike, who was expected in the area as a show of strength amid growing opposition from various ethnic groups over his stance against Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, faced intense resistance from Ijaw communities.
According to reports, the protesters obstructed the only access road leading to the reception venue, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards denouncing Wike’s remarks. In a further sign of defiance, billboards welcoming him to the community were torn down.
The protest followed an earlier appeal by the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to rein in Wike over his inflammatory statements. The INC, in its letter, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta while calling on the president to direct Wike’s attention back to his ministerial duties.
Adding to the opposition, the traditional council of Abalama, where Wike was due to be honoured, formally notified the police that he was unwelcome in the community. Despite these warnings, tensions escalated on Saturday as security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the women blocking the road.
