Port Harcourt, Nigeria — Fresh tension has erupted in Rivers State following a walkout during a public event involving the representative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, igniting a war of words between FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The incident, which occurred during an empowerment programme in Port Harcourt, saw a group of women stage a walkout after expressing dissatisfaction with the absence of the First Lady or Mrs. Valerie Sim-Fubara. The women were instead addressed by Dr. Theresa Ibas, wife of the state’s Sole Administrator.
In a strongly worded statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Wike condemned the incident as a national embarrassment and accused Fubara of orchestrating the protest through dismissed local government chairpersons.
“The act was not only disrespectful but a direct affront to the office of the President,” Wike stated. “True peace is shown in action, not just words.”
He emphasized that any insult towards the First Lady or her representative equated to insulting the nation’s leadership, apologizing on behalf of Rivers State.
Responding swiftly, the Rivers Professional Women League (RPWL) debunked Wike’s claims in a joint statement by Nimi Fiberisima, Jennifer Boms Wolugbom, and Tambari Menete, insisting that the women’s actions were misinterpreted and not politically motivated.
The group clarified that Governor Fubara had no involvement in the protest, adding that the women were disappointed after being led to believe that the First Lady would be represented by the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, not Mrs.Ibas.
“It is unfair to twist the narrative to serve political ends,” the statement read. “Rivers women deeply respect the First Lady and were only reacting to a communication gap.”
The RPWL warned against politicizing the actions of concerned citizens, urging all stakeholders to prioritize unity over personal interests.
By Adeola Olaniya | May 4, 2025
Discover more from DnewsInfo
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
