Women Always Tilt The Balance

In politics, both in Rivers State and around the world, women have been an integral part of tilting the balance.

History is filled with an abundance of stories of women’s bravery and how they became the defining catalyst for a much-needed change.

Whether from the unmatched bravery of the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929, led by Nneta Okorie-Egbe, or the Abeokuta Women’s Revolt of 1947, led by Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, it has been proven multiple times that the voices of strong-willed women, united in purpose, are an unstoppable force.

In politics, the most dedicated support bases are often women’s groups.

In the Rivers State elections of 2019, while men of the Nigerian Army and federal forces unleashed mayhem, it was the women who became our last line of defense.

From Okrika to Ogu/Bolo, to PHALGA, and down to Obio/Akpor, etc, it was women; mothers, sisters, and daughters who filed out to form a defense at our various collation centers.

When the incident of October 30, 2023, played out in Rivers State and the need for the Governor to rally his supporters arose, The Simplified Movement was birthed. The movement visited various Local Government Areas and saw the setting up of LGAs/Wards/Units structures.

However, if there is one aspect of The Simplified Movement that has proven to be one of the most potent and largely successful so far, it is the women’s structure under the RIVERS WOMEN UNITE FOR SIM – RWUS.

As of this moment, RWUS is the largest socio-political women’s group in the Niger Delta in terms of mobilization, participation, and structure.

Last month, they held the biggest women’s convention, with thousands of women drawn from within and outside the state in attendance. It was massive.

In my foray into politics, I can say for a fact that the RWUS group has become one of Governor Fubara’s biggest advantages for 2027.

It is worth noting that at the center of it all is a woman who wouldn’t want to be named; someone who would rather remain the unseen hand. However, it is important that people receive their flowers while on Earth.

What Chief Mrs. Sotonye Toby Fulton has done in galvanizing women in defense and support of this administration is unprecedented and remarkable.

In a couple of years, when the time comes, we’ll revisit this post, and you’ll see that, truly, it wasn’t by chance…

Women always tilt the balance.

Ugochukwu Oputa writes from Port-Harcourt