CSOs and Women’s Groups Protest in Abuja, Demand Reinstatement of Sagbama LG Chairman Alice Allen
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), women’s rights activists, and advocacy groups took to the streets of Abuja to protest the controversial removal of Hon. Alice Tangi Allen, the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.
Hon. Allen, who is the only elected female local government chairman in Bayelsa State and only the second in the state’s history, was recently impeached by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly over allegations of gross misconduct.
However, protesters contend that her removal was illegal, politically motivated, and executed in direct violation of an active court order.
Protesters Demand Respect for the Rule of Law
Led by the AJU Morgan Elumelu Foundation in partnership with advocacy groups under the Women for 35% Initiative, demonstrators carried placards with messages such as:
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“Respect the mandate, stop the intimidation”
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“Alice Allen remains our elected Bayelsa Sagbama LGA Chairman”
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“Secret swearing-in is null and void”
Speaking at a press conference, AJU Elumelu, CEO of the foundation, clarified that the protest was not rooted in partisan politics. Instead, it was organized to defend democratic principles and protect female political leadership in Nigeria.
“When a woman wins an election, her mandate must be respected,” Elumelu stated. “If an elected woman was pressured to defect from her political party to another or face impeachment, then every Nigerian who believes in democracy should be concerned.”
Hon. AJU also urged security agencies not to allow themselves to be used as tools for political intimidation, calling on authorities to uphold the rule of law.
“I Was Removed for Refusing to Defect” — Hon. Alice Allen
Addressing supporters and journalists, Hon. Alice Allen revealed the real motive behind her sudden removal, stating that her refusal to switch political parties was the true trigger.
“Not because I committed a crime, not because I did anything wrong,” Allen said. “It is just because I don’t want to defect to another political party.”
Allen further alleged that her impeachment was carried out during a midnight operation involving security personnel—deliberately bypassing a court order explicitly halting any assembly action against her.
A Blow to Women’s Political Representation
The protest gained support across party lines. Ambassador Dr. Nana Aisha Mahmoud, Deputy National Coordinator of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), joined the campaign to lend her support.
Dr. Mahmoud emphasized that removing elected leaders over their political beliefs undermines Nigerian democracy and deters female participation in governance.
As pressure mounts in the Federal Capital Territory, activists continue to demand the immediate reinstatement of Hon. Alice Tangi Allen and a full investigation into the breach of judicial orders surrounding her impeachment.
