By Ayomide Otitoju
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly condemned the protest staged by a group of women during an empowerment programme organized by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing the incident as “disturbing and embarrassing.”
The disruption occurred on Friday at the EUI Event Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the South-South phase of the Renewed Hope Initiative, a programme designed to empower 500 women across the state. The initiative is a collaboration between the Office of the First Lady and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The protest, reportedly led by women loyal to suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saw some attendees—believed to include sacked local government vice chairpersons—leave the venue chanting pro-Fubara slogans. The group demanded that Governor Fubara’s wife, Valerie, address the gathering instead of Mrs Theresa Ibas, wife of the state’s administrator, who was representing the First Lady.
Despite the protest, the event continued as planned, with Mrs Ibas delivering Senator Tinubu’s address on her behalf. In her remarks, the First Lady noted that the empowerment programme had already concluded in the North Central zone and that the Rivers edition marked the end of the South-South phase.
Reacting to the incident in a statement issued Saturday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike—who is currently on official assignment in China—expressed deep disappointment.
“This incident is very disturbing and embarrassing,” Wike said. “An insult to anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria at an official function is a direct insult to the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a leader in Rivers State, I offer my sincere apologies.”
The FCT Minister urged Governor Fubara’s supporters to refrain from actions that tarnish the state’s image and called on the embattled governor to be forthright about his political motives.
“It is not enough to visit people and plead for peace,” Wike stated. “Those who genuinely desire peace must also work for it. You cannot plead for reconciliation while sponsoring acts of public disorder and disrespect towards the president and his family.”
He further warned that political theatrics would only deepen existing tensions, emphasizing the need for sincerity in efforts toward peace.
“All these shenanigans won’t bring peace,” he added. “As for me and those aligned with my leadership, we condemn in totality that disgraceful conduct. We apologise to our First Lady for the embarrassment caused by a few individuals who do not reflect the character or ideals of Rivers people.”
