Veteran actress and former President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima and Hilda Dokubo, have expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In an emotional video shared by News Central TV on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the 55-year-old actress tearfully condemned the move, describing it as unjust and unwarranted. Fiberesima, a proud indigene of Rivers State, lamented the sudden disruption of peace in the region, emphasizing that the people had worked hard to restore stability, only to have it shattered overnight.
“We’d found peace finally,” she said, visibly distressed. “And then today you come out to see Army people around, like there is something going on that is wrong. This is not right.”
As she spoke, Fiberesima struggled to hold back her tears, her voice trembling with emotion. She criticized the heavy military presence in the state, stating that such a drastic measure was unnecessary and only served to instill fear among the people.
“We were at peace. Let people go to work at peace,” she pleaded. “All these army people driving about: this is not right.” The actress argued that rather than imposing military rule, the government should focus on strengthening democratic institutions and addressing the real concerns of the people.
She questioned why a peaceful state was suddenly being treated as a war zone, leaving its citizens confused and anxious.
Fiberesima further defended the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing him as a humble and peace-loving leader who had won the hearts of the people. According to her, his administration had fostered stability and development in the state, making his abrupt removal unjustifiable.
“Our governor is peaceful; we love him,” she declared. “Leave us in peace. Is it too much to ask? We want peace.” As she spoke, a group of women behind her, participating in a peaceful demonstration, chanted in agreement, their voices echoing her demand for justice.
The sight of the demonstrators, many of them mothers and market women, underscored the widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s decision.
Fiberesima is not alone in her outcry. Fellow actress and activist, Hilda Dokubo, has also voiced her disapproval of the state of emergency, taking a more direct and politically charged stance. In a fiery Instagram post on March 18, 2025, Dokubo accused the federal government of orchestrating the crisis in Rivers State to achieve an economic and political agenda.
“State of emergency because for two years we have had peace!” she exclaimed. “State of emergency because you want to capture the economic soul of Rivers State! State of emergency because of one man? Shameless! Perhaps Mr. President should say he wants to annex Rivers State!”
Her words struck a chord with many Nigerians who believe the government’s intervention is less about security and more about power and resource control.
Dokubo’s accusations come on the heels of President Tinubu’s nationwide address, in which he justified the emergency declaration by citing political instability in Rivers State. In his speech, the President announced the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
He claimed that his decision was backed by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the President authority to declare a state of emergency when national security or governance is threatened. “We cannot afford to let political instability threaten the peace and governance of Rivers State,” Tinubu stated.
However, critics argue that this justification is weak, as there was no evidence of widespread unrest prior to the announcement.
The declaration has raised serious constitutional concerns, with legal experts questioning whether the President has the authority to remove elected officials under the guise of an emergency. Many believe that the situation in Rivers State, while politically tense, did not warrant such an extreme measure.
Dokubo, in her reaction, emphasized that the true motive behind the declaration was economic. “This is not about Fubara,” she reiterated. “What is going on in Rivers State is a comeback for the economic soul of the state. Someone wants to grab the economic soul of Rivers State.”
Her statement aligns with suspicions that the move is linked to control over the state’s vast oil wealth, a resource that has historically been a point of contention in Nigerian politics.
As the controversy unfolds, Fiberesima, Dokubo, and other concerned Nigerians continue to demand answers. Protests have erupted in different parts of Rivers State, with citizens calling for the immediate reversal of the state of emergency and reinstatement of the elected government.
The voices of these celebrities, echoing the frustrations of ordinary citizens, have amplified the debate over whether Nigeria’s democracy is being eroded under the guise of political stability.
The coming weeks will determine if the government will reconsider its stance or if Rivers State will remain under federal control, setting a dangerous precedent for future interventions in state affairs.
