The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly apologised to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, over the disruption caused by a group of protesting women during an empowerment event held in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The incident occurred at the EUI Event Centre, where women loyal to suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara staged a walkout. Among the protesters were sacked local government vice chairpersons who chanted pro-Fubara slogans and demanded that the Governor’s wife, Mrs Valerie Fubara, address them rather than Mrs Theresa Ibas, the wife of the Rivers State administrator, who was representing the First Lady.
Despite the protest, the programme continued as Mrs Ibas delivered the First Lady’s message. The event was part of the Renewed Hope Initiative, aimed at empowering 500 women across Rivers State through skills training and support items, and marked the end of the South-South phase of the national initiative.
Reacting from China where he is currently on official duty, Wike described the walkout as “disturbing and embarrassing.” In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the former Rivers State Governor said:
“An insult on anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria at an event is a direct insult on the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief. As a leader from Rivers State, I tender an unreserved apology.”
He condemned what he termed a “show of shame” and accused Governor Fubara’s supporters of undermining efforts at peace and reconciliation.
“It is not enough to visit people and beg for peace while orchestrating actions that contradict that message,” Wike added. “Those who truly desire peace must act accordingly.”
He further stated that political gimmicks and public embarrassment would only escalate tensions in the state and do a disservice to the people.
“As for me and those who subscribe to 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 represent the character or values of Rivers people,” Wike concluded.
The programme, organised in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), had already been concluded in the North Central zone, making the Rivers edition its final stop in the South-South.
