Kalabari women protest, block Wike’s entry into Abalama

Hundreds of women from the Kalabari ethnic group in Rivers State have staged a protest, blocking the main road leading into their kingdom to prevent the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, from attending a civic reception organized in his honor.  

Dressed in black attire with white lace tied around their heads, the women gathered as early as 7 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, to voice their opposition.

The protest disrupted plans for the Grand Reception, which was arranged by the NEW Associates and scheduled to take place in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area.

But the King of Abalama Kingdom, the area where the event is planned to take place, His Royal Highness, King Big Tom-Tom, had urged the associates of the Minister to cancel the event, adding that the community would not accept any political gathering at the moment.

However, it was gathered that the organisers of the event continued the preparation for the event, insisting that the event must be held as planned.

But women of different age brackets took to the road, demanding that the event must not be held in Kalabari.

The protesting women said they would not allow Wike to enter their community over his comment that the Kalabari were a minority in the state.