The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong disapproval over the walkout staged by women loyal to suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during a high-profile event organized by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The incident occurred at the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme held at the EUI Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where 500 women were scheduled to receive support items. The protest was reportedly led by dismissed local government vice chairmen, who demanded the presence of Fubara’s wife and left the venue when she did not appear.
Describing the action as “very disturbing and embarrassing,” Wike, currently on official duties in China, issued an apology to the First Lady and President Bola Tinubu on behalf of Rivers people. In a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister said:
“Insult on anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria is a direct insult on the office of the President… As a leader in Rivers State, I apologise.”
Wike labeled the protest as a “show of shame” and accused supporters of the suspended governor of undermining peace efforts. He stressed that peace is not achieved through contradictory actions and warned that those seeking reconciliation must also act in good faith.
“How can you say you want peace and at the same time sponsor people to insult everyone, including the President and his wife?” he questioned. “All those shenanigans won’t bring peace.”
He concluded by reaffirming his stance against the protest, saying, “As for me and those who subscribe to my leadership, we condemn in totality that show of shame, and we apologise to our First Lady for the conduct of those few women who do not represent Rivers State’s values.”
