Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has condemned the walkout on the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu during an official empowerment event in Rivers State, describing the act as “very disturbing and embarrassing.”
The walkout, reportedly orchestrated by women loyal to suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, occurred during the Renewed Hope Initiative Empowerment Programme held at the EUI Event Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt.
The programme, organized by the office of the first lady, was aimed at empowering 500 women across Rivers State.
In a statement issued Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike apologized to President Bola Tinubu and the first lady, stating that the conduct of the women does not reflect the values of the people of Rivers State.
“Insult on anyone representing the first lady of Nigeria in an event is a direct insult on the office of the president and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Wike said.
“As a leader in Rivers State, I apologize.”
The women, led by some recently sacked local government vice chairmen, staged the walkout mid-event, sparking public outrage and drawing national attention.
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Currently on official engagement in China, Wike urged Gov. Fubara’s loyalists to cease actions that ridicule the image of the state.
He also advised the suspended governor to be transparent and honest in his dealings with President Tinubu.
“It is not enough to visit people to plead for peace. Those who genuinely want peace work and act for it. You cannot claim to desire peace while sponsoring actions that insult the president and his wife,” Wike added.
He emphasized that the actions taken by Gov. Fubara’s supporters were inconsistent and insincere, and such “shenanigans won’t bring peace.”
Wike reaffirmed his commitment to the unity and dignity of Rivers State, saying, “as for me and those who subscribe to my leadership, we condemn in totality yesterday’s show of shame and we apologize to our first lady for the embarrassing conduct of those few women who do not represent the character and ideals of the people of Rivers State.”