By Mardiyyah Abubakar
A political pressure group, Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), has declared support for the Renewed Hope Family and Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The group also endorsed the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, and other APC candidates.
RWUS, which supports Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, said it took the decision in line with the governor’s move to return to the political family that supported his emergence as governor.
The group’s convener, Sotonye Toby-Fulton, announced the decision on Thursday during the group’s monthly prayer meeting.
She urged members to accept the new political direction and remain united in the interest of peace in Rivers State.
“As women who have chosen to be politically active, we must accept our fate and remain united,” Toby-Fulton said.
“You cannot say you support Fubara and then take a different position behind him.”
She said the group would continue to support the governor’s decisions and work together to promote peace in the state.
“We are part of the Renewed Hope Family,” she said.
Toby-Fulton thanked members for remaining committed to the group and praying for peace in Rivers State.
She said the group’s prayers had helped the state avoid the violence many people predicted during the political crisis.
“Despite everything, we have not witnessed the level of bloodshed that some people predicted,” she said.
“We believe God will continue to give Rivers State peace and protect our children.”
The convener said members who disagreed with the group’s decision were free to join other political groups.
However, she warned them against making false claims or speaking on behalf of RWUS.
“There is freedom of association,” she said.
“But do not spread false information about this group. If RWUS did not make a statement, do not claim that it did.”
A member of the group and former chairperson of the Federated Association of Women Lawyers, Adata Bio-Briggs, welcomed Governor Fubara’s decision.
She said the reconciliation between Fubara and Wike would help sustain peace and political stability in Rivers State.
“We prayed for peace between Governor Fubara and his leader, and God has answered our prayers,” Bio-Briggs said.
“As his core supporters, we believe in his vision and leadership. We will support the decision he has made.”
Another leader of the group, Atonye Green, said Governor Fubara had supported and empowered women across the state.
She described the governor’s decision to reconcile with Wike as the best option for Rivers State.
“The governor has shown great support for women in Rivers State,” Green said.
“We stand with him because we believe his decision to return to his political family is in the best interest of the state.”
RWUS remained one of the major groups supporting Fubara after the dissolution of the Simplified Movement following the end of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
With the group’s latest declaration, the major political structures linked to Governor Fubara have now aligned with the Rainbow Coalition and Renewed Hope Family led by Wike.
