A group of enraged Ijaw women from the Kalabari region took to the streets on Saturday, tearing down billboards featuring the image of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in a demonstration against his visit to their community.
The billboards, positioned at the entrance to Abalama, were part of the preparations for a grand reception organized in Wike’s honor by Ijaw stakeholders under the platform of NEW Associates.
However, the event met strong opposition from Kalabari traditional leaders and local women, who had previously resisted plans for an Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Eastern Zone meeting at the same location.
In the early hours of the day, hundreds of women, clad in black with white scarves, took to the streets, pledging to prevent Wike’s entry into Abalama.
As they blocked the roads, the protesters dismantled billboards displaying Wike’s image while chanting slogans of resistance. Their placards carried messages such as “Kalabari, take your stand now!” and “Wike, what do you want in Kalabari land?”
Security personnel escorting the FCT Minister were eventually forced to intervene, dispersing the demonstrators and clearing the roadblocks to allow Wike’s convoy passage into the community.
Despite the protests, the planned reception continued as scheduled. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the event’s Publicity Committee, described Wike as a “friend of the Kalabari Kingdom” and emphasized that many local chiefs, community leaders, women, and youths welcomed his visit.
“This event was organized as a thanksgiving service and grand civic reception to honor the former governor for his contributions to the Kalabari Kingdom,” George stated.
