The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned the recent walkout staged by a group of women during an empowerment programme attended on behalf of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Port Harcourt.
The women, said to be loyalists of the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, reportedly disrupted the Renewed Hope Initiative event on Thursday, which was organised to empower 500 women in the state.
The programme, held at the EUI Event Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt, saw the women, including some sacked local government vice chairpersons, exit the venue in protest as the wife of the state’s sole administrator was delivering remarks on behalf of the First Lady.
Reacting to the development, Wike, through a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, described the action as “disturbing and embarrassing.”
Wike, who is currently in China on official duties, apologised to Senator Tinubu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on behalf of the people of Rivers State, stating that disrespect toward the First Lady’s representative amounts to disrespecting the presidency.
“Insulting anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria is a direct insult on the office of the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces. As a leader in Rivers State, I apologize for that embarrassment,” he said.
The former Rivers governor also took a swipe at Governor Fubara, accusing him of lacking sincerity in his peace overtures.
“It’s not enough to be seen visiting people to plead for peace while supporting actions that undermine it. You can’t sponsor insults against the President and his wife and still claim to want peace,” Wike stated.
He further urged Fubara to be transparent with his intentions, calling on him to openly communicate with President Tinubu rather than sending mixed signals.
Wike stressed that those who align with his leadership reject what he termed “a show of shame,” and reiterated that the women who staged the protest do not reflect the values of Rivers people.
“We condemn yesterday’s conduct in totality. It does not represent the character and ideals of the people of Rivers State,” he added.
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