Women Groups and CSOs Demand Justice for Alice Allen
Civil society organisations, women advocacy groups, and activists have staged a protest in Abuja to demand the immediate return of Sagbama Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Alice Allen, to office. The demonstrators described her removal by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly as an attack on democracy, the rule of law, and women’s participation in political leadership.
Defending the Mandate of Alice Allen
Protesters gathered in the nation’s capital with placards, insisting that the mandate given by the people of Sagbama must be respected. As the only elected female local government chairman in Bayelsa State, the targeting of Alice Allen has sparked widespread outrage across civil society.
Advocacy groups alleged that Alice Allen was targeted because she refused to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to another political party amid the ongoing political realignment in Bayelsa State.
Midnight Removal and Disregard for Court Orders
Speaking out on the ordeal, Alice Allen revealed that her removal was carried out despite an active High Court restraining order directing all parties to maintain the status quo.
She alleged that her removal took place during a midnight exercise involving security personnel, during which another official was secretly sworn in to replace her. Calling the action an injustice, Alice Allen urged Nigerians, Bayelsa residents, and the international community to speak out against unlawful political intimidation.
Key Demands From Protesters and Advocacy Groups
The coalition of women groups and activists outlined four clear demands to the authorities:
- Respect for Court Orders: Enforcing the subsisting court injunction and restoring Alice Allen to her duly elected office.
- Protection of Women in Governance: Ensuring female leaders who win elections can serve their full terms without harassment.
- Adherence to Due Process: Demanding that any legitimate allegations be handled through transparent, lawful investigations rather than political force.
- Ending Security Intimidation: Calling on law enforcement agencies to protect democratic institutions rather than being used to suppress elected officials.
Standing Up for Democratic Values
Civil society leaders emphasized that the fight to reinstate Alice Allen goes beyond local party politics. When elected leaders are illegally removed because of their political convictions, the entire democratic system is compromised. Upholding the rule of law and protecting the tenure of Alice Allen remains essential to guaranteeing fair political representation for women across Nigeria.