When elephants fight, the grass suffers. The long battle for control of the political turf between two giants, Nyesom Wike, former governor of the State, now Federal Capital Territory Minister, and the man he imposed on Rivers people as Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has unfortunately, turned out to be a misfortune for women.
Rather than improve their incursion into elective spaces, the long drawn violence in the impasse has narrowed the doors letting in fewer women into the coming 2027 general elections than it was in the 2023 general elections. As politicians wait for INEC to unveil the final list of candidates on the 2027 ballot, it has become obvious that women representation on the ballot in Rivers State will be seriously depleted from to. From our investigations, rather than anticipation, women are grasping with confusion for, while they prayed for peace to reign as the political struggle lingered, men were positioning for the 2027 elections. And before they knew what was happening, the doors to the contest were shut against them.
Women suffered massive electoral losses following the last minute maneuverings after the battles that raged back and forth finally handed over power of political control in the State to Wike for both PDP and APC. And not only is the coming elections going to be too tough for females, the fear of being tagged as disloyal has frightened many women from sticking out their neck to run for the elections. They have instead, taken a position to wait for the endorsement of the godfathers. And such endorsements have hardly come their way.
Political conflict in the state has profoundly disrupted the electoral fortunes and representation of women, transforming them from high-ranking executive leaders into deeply polarized frontline activists. The high-stakes political warfare that culminated in the 2025 suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor (Mrs.) Ngozi Odu, effectively shattered the highest glass ceiling Rivers women had ever cracked, forcing women out of governance spaces and back onto the streets in volatile protests.
How the Rivers Power Tussle Altered the Electoral Fortunes of WomenWhen Professor (Mrs.) Ngozi Odu was sworn in as Deputy Governor of Rivers State on May 29, 2023, it was hailed as a monumental leap forward for women in Niger Delta politics. For a region historically dominated by patriarchal godfatherism and aggressive, masculine political machinery, having a woman for the second time at the apex of State leadership, was a beacon of progress.
Today, that progressive horizon has been dramatically beclouded by relentless political warfare. The protracted conflict between rival political factions in the oil-rich State has done more than just destabilize governance – it has systematically eroded the hard-earned electoral fortunes of Rivers women.
Hon Okorite Carri-Adiele, a former Degema Local Government Caretaker Chairperson captured it thus: “Rivers State women in politics, because of the rift between Ex-Governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Sim Fubara, are just standing on the fence. It is like going back to the medieval ages”.
Shuttering the Highest OfficeThe most direct blow to women’s political fortunes came with the suspension of the State’s elected executive arm of government with a declaration of a State of emergency. When Presidential declaration led to the suspension of the Fubara administration, Deputy Governor, Prof (Mrs.) Ngozi Odu was sidelined along with it. Overnight, Rivers women lost their highest institutional ally. The imposition of a Federal Sole Administrator essentially wiped out the executive representation women had voted for, reducing their political capital back to the starting line.
It also closed their direct link to the seat of power. Access to the Deputy Governor was an asset that gave women a sense of belonging to system and an avenue for posting their needs and observations to the Seat of Power.”
We are not just fighting for a Governor; we are fighting for the survival of our own representation,” noted Christiana Tamunomietari during a Mass March along Aba Road., Port Harcourt, River State. “When you arbitrarily, suspend an Administration that put a woman in the second-highest office, you are telling Rivers women that their votes and their leaders don’t matter,” she stated.
Deprived of policy-making platforms, women have become structural shock absorbers for male-dominated factions. Shut out of Executive power, they were split in the streets to fight respective power factions in the State. The streets of Port Harcourt became highly polarized battlegrounds characterized by competing women’s groups:
The Pro-Fubara Coalitions: Clad in symbolic red attire, groups like the Rivers Women Unite for Sim continuously staged massive demonstrations demanding a return to constitutional democracy and the reinstatement of Odu and Fubara. (Channels TV month and Year? )
The Pro-Emergency Rule Coalitions: Conversely, opposing factions of women dressed in white marched to demand sustained Federal intervention, citing a breakdown of security month and Year?
While this showcased the undeniable mobilization power of women, not a few political analysts argued that, it was a retrogression for women, politically. Women were acting as foot soldiers and structural shields for male political actors, rather than running for elective office or occupying other executive positions where they would manage State affairs and resources.
The Hostile Climate
Beyond the immediate loss of executive seats, the hyper-volatile political climate creates an environment where future female candidates are locked out. Electoral fortunes rely heavily, on peaceful, predictable democratic processes. The introduction of intense factionalism, threats like State-of-emergency rule, and legislative paralysis raise the “cost of entry” into Rivers politics.
Political Conflict Factors Inhibiting Women’s Electoral Success:
These include hyper-masculine political godfatherism – Extreme financial inflation of campaign costs arising from legal/security battles; threat of physical violence; and institutional instability. All of these combine to disrupt internal democracy and deny women opportunities in the political parties.
With local government structures fractured and political parties deeply divided, the grassroots mentoring pipelines that typically help female candidates secure party tickets have dried up.
When political survival becomes a game of raw aggression and Federal leverage, women who already struggle with limited campaign financing and deeply entrenched systemic biases are the first to fall victims. The result is that, while men are counting the gains, Rivers women are groaning in pain, having been quietly pushed out.
“All that the crusaders of women emancipation have worked for, seems to be in futility. When it looked like women were in furtherance, now, it has become like a wasted venture. It has become hopeless. Women are no longer present even in women gatherings.
“We used to be thousands attending prayer sessions but the last one was just about 80-90 persons in attendance. Things have become so deplorable and hopeless in Rivers State.”
“We are sorrowful, confused. At this point, we are confused on whether to go to the left or right, or even leave it for them. We are so marginalized, so improperly treated. We are just there,” Hon Okorite Carri-Adiele lamented.
She is not alone. Other women in politics feel same. Chief Kate Sam Ngbor, Local Government stakeholder in Tai Local Government agreed that, the conflict between the FCT Minister and the Rivers State Governor has hit women badly.
“The political crisis in Rivers State affects women most, made worse by the six months’ State of Emergency. Recall the crowd of women that gathered during Sim’s days. Where are those women now? Apart from the women whom he (Wike) had picked before and re-picked now to go to the State House of Assembly, National Assembly and all that, minus the ones he felt betrayed him, no one else is there.
“For these primaries, he just put his own people. In this my LGA (Tai), it is only one woman that I saw vying for the House of Representatives. All I know in Rainbow Coalition is that it is the group producing candidates. Some APC members have left with Amaechi to join ADC,” she stated.
To fully understand the pain of the women, we have to revisit the status of women in the 2023 election. A total of 18 women contested across all chambers resulting in the emergence of a Senator and four House of Representatives members. A record of 13 females vied for the 32 State Assembly seats, the highest in Rivers history. Seven women won the election and that put the State among five States for women in the State Assemblies in 2023. All the elected women in 2023 were from the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party. Only the Labour Party fielded a female gubernatorial candidate, Beatrice Itubo.
For the 2027 elections 11 candidates have been recorded as contesting although there are signals that another 11 from outside the four major parties of APC/PDP, ADC, NDC, might join the race. From available records, the ADC is fielding five female candidates for the Rivers State House of Assembly while the Labour Party is fielding six, also for the State Assembly, and one candidate, Beatrice Itubo, for the Senate.
The ruling party, APC, is fielding more women (seven) but that figure is less than it did in 2023 (13) – and the candidates for higher ranking positions are reduced. Labour Party is fielding a lone Upper Chamber candidate, the rest are for the State Assembly and ADC is fielding women only for the State Assembly. Higher representation has trimmed down.
The diminishing political growth of women in the ruling APC and PDP can be traced to the lingering political conflict which made the State a battle ground deemed unhealthy for women. It has been war on the political front, a war that did not give space for electoral matters to be properly addressed, and one, in which picking women as candidates was considered risky.
Consequently, though women feature prominently in public party events, they are usually left out in times of serious discussions like considerations for electoral offices.
“Women’s rights have been violated in the scheme of things because from what we are experiencing, political caucus meetings are being held without women. At the very peak of meetings and decisions, women are not there. They relegate us, denying us voices saying, ‘Let’s talk, that is not a woman’s talk’ and all that.
“Even at the Local Government level, we have stakeholders at political levels in all Local Government Areas involving men and a few women. I can tell you that when certain caucus meetings are held, none of the women that form the caucus are called or even engaged. They do their own and then impose it on us. Our rights, our voices have been violated even at the local level.
“At the state level, everything is just like a mirage. We see things, even money flying across us. We do the prayers, do the peacemaking and everything is just flying across us ,” Okorite Carri-Adiele said.
Chief Martha Egbe, APC/PDP Rainbow Coalition Woman Leader in Eleme area, also expressed worry over the sidelining of women in political considerations.
Said she, “One of the things I was supposed to talk about at the meeting today was that, the Commissioner for Sports, Fred Mbombo Igwe under Amaechi, held a meeting with four of us – APC woman leader, PDP Woman leader and APC/PDP Ward chairmen. I made a complaint that everything now is only for Unit Coordinators because we have Unit Coordinators and Unit Women Leaders but now, only Unit Coordinators act. He said, if it is like that, he was going to talk about it during the meeting. Will you believe that I raised my hand up, because I wanted to bring up the matter today, they refused me to talk?”
While some of the women have been cowed by the crisis, others choose to just watch and pray. But while they prayed, the men schemed, positioning themselves for nomination and clearance. Others among the male politicians exhibited violence, even challenging the sitting Governor to make themselves seen as tough enough for the envisaged electoral battle.
That explains majorly, the absence of women in the recent primaries especially within the APC/PDP. No woman wanted to be seen as being too bold with her ambition, this investigation revealed.
VIOLENCE: A HINDRANCE
Discussions on electoral violence between Rivers State Political and the leadership of Citizen Community Aid Initiative, a non-governmental organization working to promote non-violence against women in the electoral process and Political Party Representatives, revealed deep concerns among stakeholders. Participants who were all-male, identified security personnel and incumbent political actors as key perpetrators and enablers of electoral violence before, during, and after elections.
A representative of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) emphasized that, “electoral violence is not gender-specific, but its impact on women is more discouraging and long-lasting in terms of participation.”
Other participants stressed that intimidation, coercion, and abuse of political influence remain common features of electoral competition in the State. There was a strong call for accountability mechanisms and sanctions against individuals and groups found culpable of electoral violence.
Our investigations confirmed the presence of these concerns. It revealed attacks on women in politics through thuggery, intimidation, denial of necessary political information, among others. For instance, Senator Ipalibo Harry-Banigo’s Constituency project implementation in Ahoada was halted by thugs believed to be politically sponsored. After skill acquisition training, the empowerment programme planned to finally empower training beneficiaries with starter-kits was disrupted. The dance band engaged to entertain at the event was attacked, the starter kits for the empowerment destroyed, raising fear and causing people to disperse. Fear of this attack and possible silent intimidation, caused the Coordinator for that project same in another zone of her constituency to decline participation midway, killing the project and denying the people democratic dividend from the Senate.
Two of the ladies from Abua Odual who secured party tickets to contest the 2027 coming elections are already being challenged in court while ADC had to engage Security Personnel to ensure its primaries was not aborted because of violence. Thugs had earlier launched an offensive destroying canopies, posters, etc., instilling enough fear to keep many women away.
ADC Young Women Forum meeting in Eleme was reportedly, disrupted by thugs. The organizer, Oma Uwame said, they were told, “Don’t use ADC name,” and to get both Council and Chairman’s approval for any event. The adoption of consensus candidates by the Political Parties also locked out women from the ballot in Rivers State. Men who demonstrated physical and financial muscles were easily, adopted as consensus candidates. Local Government Chairmen determined the choice of delegates that chose the candidates in the ruling party.
Commenting on the political fortunes of women in Abua/ Odual LG, a Women Advocate and Executive Director of Enamel Development Initiative Comrade Elo Eneghie Dick-Akoba said, “The men are not ready to let women in.
“There is serious political intimidation against women in the Abua/Odual LGA. The ADC ticket went to a woman but a man is challenging that in court. The female PDP candidate’s ticket is also being challenged by the former State Assembly member. PDP is fielding two male candidates and one female.
“The nature of the political violence in Abua/Odual is that, they don’t want any woman to take over position from the men in this present political dispensation. But if they will allow people power, rather than this one political umbrella – Rainbow Coalition, I believe that, Barrister Dienbo with her crowd, will win. She has that capacity.”
Enegie added, “The same people in APC are inaugurating people in the PDP and Governor Sim’s supporters are not coming out for any position. There were crises at Primaries. There was disruption at the NDC primaries at Ogbema. Canopies were removed, security personnel were later invited by the party.”
According to her, this volatile political state debars women from coming forward. “Fear of attacks and intimidation stopped some women from taking the bold step to declare interest in contesting. Even if they had hoped to win, with the wave of intimidation, the way the APC is carrying on everywhere, no woman would have that boldness to come out. Even coming to do the voting is somehow panicky to some women.”
The community activist summed up the challenge of locking women out of electoral positions thus, “Because we do not have women representing us in Government from this Local Government Area, our issues are not getting attention.”
From the Women Directorate of the South South Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Chief Opuruchi Barry Obinna gave a general picture on political violence against women in this dispensation.
“Yes, we have received reports of political intimidation, harassment and defamation, online abuses and all that being directed at women involved in politics because, it is not just one woman. We have gotten reports from here and there. These issues remain a concern and can actually discourage women from participating actively.
“But we keep documenting all that and some of them. We are looking into it through the appropriate channels and we strongly believe that we are going to get favourable and good results. We encourage affected women to document incidents and report them appropriately including reporting to relevant security and the electoral body. We also encourage Political Parties, Civil Organizations and other stakeholders to encourage victims to receive support and ensure the perpetrators are being held accountable.”
Looking ahead, she harped on the need for more awareness, more capacity building for women, internal party democracy and implementation of affirmative action.
On the general picture, she said, “The work is not done yet; we still have a long way to go. Political parties should implement the affirmative action, reduce nomination cost for women, provide leadership training and mentorship every other time, and also ensure internal party democracy to strengthen the enforcement of gender inclusion as well as create a safe political environment free from violence and Intimidation.
“A woman should not be seen as a sex toy. When you see a woman, you should allow the woman to explore, to get involved. Allow the woman to be part of the decision-makers. Women are not just for cheerleaders. Women are not just for asoebi wearing – to tie their wrapper, come out and dance; get their waist broken, get their legs broken. Society must also support and encourage competent women to seek leadership positions. This is what I think.”
Chief Opuruchi Barry Obinna firmly believes that Nigeria might keep wobbling until it embraces inclusion so well that a woman gets the opportunity to rule and redirect this country.
“Honestly, we really need to do more to mainstream women into political leadership. I keep saying it to anyone that cares to listen across political parties that Nigeria is where it is today because, it has not given a woman an opportunity to rule. The blessings and capacity that we have as women, that gives us the leverage to organize our homes, is basically what Nigeria needs – a female President! And, until that is done, until that is achieved, we will still be where we are. So, the inclusion is something that everybody gets involved and clamours for inclusive governance leads to better decision-making. We all know that, stronger democratic institutions and more balanced development come with women inclusion. So, we deserve meaningful representation in government.”
WOMEN NOT HELPING MATTERS
The general observation among persons interacted with on this Women in Politics issue is that, the women drafted into political leadership in Rivers State have so far, not done much to pave a path for greater progress. National Woman Leader of the Labour Party and former Acting State Chairman of the Party said, Comrade Hilda Dokubo pointed out that, even though there has been a progressive rise in women inclusion in the State’s public space, that authority has not been seen put to use.
“Well, in terms of the areas in which they have either been appointed or voted into office, there’s been a slight increase. You have more women in the Assembly, the present Deputy Governor and the immediate past are both women; we have three senators, one of them is a female. We have females at the House of Representatives, State Assembly and of course, we had female Commissioners, when it was okay. Out of the 23 Local Government Areas, 20 LGAs had female Vice Chairmen and three had female Chairmen and the men were Deputies.
“So yes, and then, you know the Agencies had good representation of women as well. In a way, you can say that in Rivers State we have tried to have women included although a lot of the women have also, acted like people in position with no authority. I cannot tell you whether the authority is as a result of them not being able to understand the mandate of the assignment or if it is as a result of people not creating the environment to enable them operate effectively. They will be the ones to give that story.”
Chief Kate Sam-Ngbor, a Political Chieftain and long-term political observer, also thinks the women put in political positions have not pulled their weight.
“The women coming out for politics now don’t seem to know what they are coming out for. The only thing I like about Wike is the Deputy position he gives to women but even the women did not do much with it. Carry women along, get the Oga to appoint other women to do things, not go there to worship the Chairmen and Governor. In the end, they are not learning anything. The women in the Assembly have not been seen, some are representatives that they shout down.
Women are not helping matters. Upon all the enlightenment concerning women, we are still doing what we talk against – we don’t share information, we don’t unite to lobby for advancement,” she stated.
Worried that things may not be going well with women in politics in Rivers State, a Non-Governmental Organization, Citizen Community Aid and Development Aid Initiative has rolled out a series of actions targeted to supporting women inclusion in the democratic process. To this effect, on June 12, 2026, it convened a high-level meeting with leaders of registered Political parties in Rivers State. The engagement was designed to strengthen dialogue among political actors, civil society, and electoral stakeholders on Women’s Political Participation, Electoral Violence, and Strategies for Promoting Inclusive, Peaceful, and Credible Elections.The meeting brought together representatives of registered Political Parties in Rivers State, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), African Action Congress (AAC), Boot Party, Accord Party, Young Progressive Party (YPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), National Democratic Congress (NDC), National Progressive Party (NPP), and other stakeholders.
Political Party Affirmative Actions for Women’s Participation Party representatives shared existing efforts to support women’s participation in politics. For example, the representative of the Accord Party, stated that, the party has implemented a 50 percent reduction in nomination form fees for women and reserved specific positions to encourage female participation.
Similarly, representatives of the APC and Boot Party affirmed that women are actively encouraged and supported to contest elective positions at both State and National levels.
Despite these measures, participants collectively observed that, women’s political participation remains relatively low. They attributed this to persisting cultural norms, limited political exposure, financial constraints, and fear of intimidation within the political space.
Another representative noted that, “many women are still reluctant to fully engage in politics due to the perceived risks and hostile environment surrounding elections,” emphasizing the need for sustained civic education, leadership development, and mentoring for women”.
The Party Leaders concluded the dialogue session with signing a consensus commitment to promote zero tolerance for electoral violence and to support peaceful, credible, and inclusive electoral processes in Rivers State.
While the agreement may work for ensuring a peaceful election, from results arising from the primaries, inclusion may have suffered a big blow. Gender activists and election watchers insist that women have been locked out. They suggest a return to the drawing board for an early planning against the next Local Government Elections and the 2027 General Elections.
NEXT STEPS
The thinking is that since women have lost out in the 2027 primaries, the next option should be to change strategy – use the numeric mobilization and voting strength of women to negotiate for massive meaningful appointive positions, which will introduce more women to power against the 2031 general elections.
For Chief Kate Sam-Ngbor, this should start with the appointment of a woman as candidate for the APC Deputy Governorship.
“What I am soliciting is that a woman should be picked as Deputy Governor. At least, we have one Joba West, a former Commissioner, former LGA Chairperson. She has gone far in politics so she is qualified to be considered as Deputy Governorship candidate.
“When I raised this on our platform, the men began to attack me. I fought back. At the APC women platform, when I posted this, none of the women even put an Okay sign so I posted, ‘Women which position are you people taking? When issues on women come up you keep quiet only to go and tie uniform. The only comments were from a few congratulating the men who were cleared to collect ticket to contest. The women coming out for politics now don’t seem to know what they are coming out for”.
Participants at Stakeholders’ Meeting on Rapid Response to Electoral Violence Against Women in Rivers State organized by CCAI, while analyzing the state of Women in Politics, equally lamented that, women have been shut out by violence emanating from the conflict in the state leading to a drop in the number of those who will be on the ballot for 2027.
They noted that, the conflict caused Civil Society Organizations not to be as vigorous as they had been over the years, in promoting women participation in elections which may have contributed to the diminished political fortune of Rivers women. It was however, observed that, women’s political empowerment cannot be achieved without the men, drawing attention for more structural actions to advance women inclusiveness working with identified male champions.
One of the female Politicians interviewed, Chief Martha Egbe hinted at this omission.
“Let me use myself as example. In 2018, I came out and contested. I did everything – started clearance consultations, spent half a million. Along the line, they said I should leave it. They carried the ticket and gave it to a man because I did not know any person to back me up. That is why I said this your call today, supposing it had come at that time, something would have happened; I could have scaled through”.
Deborah Effiong, Executive Director of ALIVE and experienced advocate for women’s political empowerment stressed the need for women in positions of authority to understand power and use it to improve the drive for inclusion.
Dr Lolo Hailsham, a lecturer at the Rivers State University while lamenting that, the political crisis in the State has thrown up unimaginable acts that set back advancement, advised that, women should forget about 2027 and begin an early planning including, serious sensitization and advocacy for better women participation in 2031.
“We have already lost for 2027. It is time to go back and plan for the next elections,” she stated.Still looking ahead, Chief Mrs. Opuruchi Barry Obinna,who is also, organizing secretary of the Female Candidates Inclusion Agenda said, “There is not enough sensitization on women. Women are yet to understand the power they have. If a woman doesn’t rule Nigeria, Nigeria will not be better”. And, to get that golden opportunity desired, ADC Rivers State secretary, Hon Sam Sam Etetegwung has advised that, women should keep showing up while contributing to development and issues in their constituencies.
“Women should keep coming out to contest. They should also be active in their constituencies. No one is going to come to invite you to contest,” he advised.
A Call for Institutional Resurrection
The electoral fortunes of Rivers women will remain deeply compromised until constitutional order is fully restored in the State, and Political Parties move away from a culture of crisis to one of internal democracy that respects institutional inclusion. Until then, Rivers State women will remain fiercely active on the streets, but tragically absent from the Halls of Power.
