Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has strongly condemned the actions of a group of women loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who staged a walkout during an official event attended by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Port Harcourt.
Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike—currently on an official visit to China—described the protest as a “show of shame” and a national embarrassment. He issued a public apology to President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady, emphasizing that the incident does not reflect the values of Rivers State.
The walkout occurred during a women’s empowerment programme held at the EUI Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt. The initiative, organized under the Renewed Hope Initiative, aimed to support 500 women across the state. According to reports, the women—allegedly led by recently dismissed local government vice-chairpersons aligned with Governor Fubara—left the venue in protest after being removed from the programme lineup and replaced by Wike loyalists.
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Wike criticized the demonstration as a politically motivated move designed to undermine the presidency. He directly accused Governor Fubara of sponsoring the walkout and questioned the sincerity of his calls for peace amid escalating political tensions in the state.
“It’s hypocritical to plead for peace in public while orchestrating actions that insult the President and his wife,” Wike said. “If Governor Fubara truly wants peace, he must be honest and clearly state his intentions to President Tinubu.”
He urged the governor to align his actions with his words and warned that continued provocations would only hinder efforts to stabilize the political climate in Rivers.
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“We totally disassociate ourselves from the disgraceful behaviour exhibited by those few women. Their conduct is not representative of the character or ideals of Rivers people,” Wike added.
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The incident adds another layer to the ongoing political friction between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, further deepening the divide within the state’s leadership.
