By Emeka Amaefula
TOP RIVERS STATE WOMEN LEADING SUPPORT FOR GOVERNOR SIMINALAYI FUBARA’S POLITICAL ALIGNMENTS AHEAD OF 2026/2027
Several prominent women in Rivers State are playing strategic roles in mobilising grassroots support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Their efforts are focused on promoting unity, stability, women’s empowerment, and political alignment with both the Governor’s administration and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the state gradually positions itself for future political engagements.
At the forefront is Her Excellency, Lady Valerie Sim-Fubara, the First Lady of Rivers State. Through her pet project, the Valerie Sim-Fubara Foundation (popularly known as the Valerie Simple Life Initiative), and her coordination of Rivers State activities under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, she has spearheaded several women-centred programmes across the state.
Her mobilisation strategy is anchored on three key pillars: faith and prayer networks, economic empowerment, and peace advocacy. Working closely with groups such as Rivers Women Unite for SIM (RWUS), she has strengthened grassroots engagement while implementing welfare and development programmes through the RHI Rivers State Office.
Among her notable interventions was the facilitation of N50,000 business grants to 1,000 women through a partnership involving the Renewed Hope Initiative, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and the Rivers State Government. She described the initiative as “a seed of renewed hope to help recapitalise your businesses.” She also launched the RHI Women Agricultural Support Programme, presenting N10 million grants to the first batch of 20 women farmers, with additional beneficiaries scheduled to benefit. Furthermore, she supported 250 persons living with disabilities, including women, with grants of N200,000 each during the 2025 World Disability Day celebration.
On the peace and solidarity front, Lady Valerie has consistently encouraged women to remain steadfast in prayers for peace and development in Rivers State. She has commended RWUS for its commitment to unity, peace-building, and support for the Governor’s administration.
Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, has also emerged as a key grassroots mobiliser. Following her defection alongside Governor Fubara, she actively participated in political sensitisation and membership registration exercises across Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. Her mobilisation efforts have focused on consolidating support for both President Tinubu and Governor Fubara while strengthening political structures at the grassroots level.
Her influence within the Orashi axis has attracted support from several socio-political organisations, including The Enforcers of Good Governance, the Orashi National Congress (ONC), and the South-South Professional Women Association International (SSPWAI), all of which have advocated her retention as Governor Fubara’s running mate ahead of future elections.
Another influential figure is Sotonye Toby-Fulton, founder and convener of Rivers Women Unite for SIM (RWUS). Since establishing the organisation in January 2024, she has mobilised thousands of women across Rivers State through prayer campaigns, peace advocacy initiatives, and grassroots political engagement.
During the political challenges that confronted the state in 2025, RWUS emerged as a major rallying platform for women across the 23 Local Government Areas and 319 wards. The organisation organised peace walks, prayer vigils, and solidarity programmes aimed at promoting stability and support for Governor Fubara’s administration.
One of its major events was the endorsement rally held in Port Harcourt on December 19, 2025, during which women publicly declared support for Governor Fubara and President Tinubu. RWUS also launched the Rivers Rural Women Support Stimulus Scheme (RRWSS), designed to provide financial assistance to 5,000 rural women, market women, Islamic women groups, and non-indigenes residing in the state.
As Chairperson of the Toby Jug Group and holder of the traditional title Amaopuorubo of Opobo Kingdom, Toby-Fulton continues to advocate the message: “One State, One People. Rivers belongs to us all, and peace is non-negotiable.”
Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, a respected politician and former two-term Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, currently serves as Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative. Her extensive experience in public service, grassroots politics, youth development, and community empowerment has earned her widespread respect across Rivers State.
She remains actively involved in women-focused development initiatives and continues to support programmes aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of women and vulnerable groups.
Barrister (Mrs.) Onyii Ille (née Nzenwa) serves as the State Coordinator of Simplified Grassroots Ladies (SGL), Rivers State. The organisation is known for grassroots mobilisation, prayer support, and advocacy for good governance. Through coordinated engagements with women across communities, she has contributed significantly to efforts aimed at sustaining support for Governor Fubara’s administration.
Professor (Dr.) Adaeze Chidinma Oreh (née Odili), physician, public health expert, and former Rivers State Commissioner for Health, has also distinguished herself through humanitarian and developmental interventions. As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kaibeya Care Foundation Africa, she has championed medical outreaches, maternal and child healthcare programmes, educational support initiatives, and interventions targeted at vulnerable communities.
Her contributions to public health and women’s development continue to align with broader efforts aimed at improving the welfare of Rivers women and strengthening community development.
Another notable mobiliszer is Ambassador DR. (MRS.) RUTH DAVIES IBIAMU, Chairperson of the Nigeria League of Women Voters (NILOWV), Rivers State Chapter. A respected civil society advocate and women’s rights campaigner, she has dedicated her leadership to promoting democratic participation, voter education, gender inclusion, and electoral awareness among women across Rivers State.
Dr. Ibiamu is also President-General of the Women of Glory Foundation and has become a leading voice in advocating increased participation of women in governance and public affairs. Under her leadership, NILOWV Rivers State has intensified voter sensitisation campaigns across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas and 319 political wards, encouraging women to obtain, transfer, update, and validate their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of future elections. She has consistently championed the ideals of universal adult suffrage, democratic inclusion, and the protection of women’s political rights.
Beyond electoral mobilisation, she has collaborated with civil society organisations and stakeholders to combat gender-based violence and promote women’s empowerment. Through NILOWV, she has advocated stronger legal protections for women and increased female representation in political leadership and decision-making processes.
Collectively, these accomplished women represent a formidable network of political, social, humanitarian, and grassroots mobilisation in Rivers State. Through their diverse platforms and initiatives, they continue to champion peace, unity, women’s empowerment, democratic participation, and sustainable development while strengthening support structures around Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership and broader national development objectives.
By Emeka Amaefula
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