Women under the umbrella of the Rivers Professional Women League have firmly denied the claim by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that their recent walkout at a presidential empowerment programme in Port Harcourt was “very disturbing and embarrassing.”
The incident, which occurred on Friday, saw the women walk out of the venue of the Women’s Initiative Empowerment Programme organised by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu. The walkout happened after they discovered that the First Lady was represented by Dr Theresa Ibas, the wife of the Rivers State sole administrator, rather than Hajiya Fatima Abbas, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who they had been told would represent the First Lady.
Reacting to the walkout, Wike, through a statement by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, said: “It is not enough to be visiting people to plead for peace, those who genuinely want peace work and act for it. These are the same people pleading for peace, but at the same time doing things that are contrary to what they are pleading for.
“How can you say you want peace and at the same time, you are sponsoring people to insult everyone, including the President and his wife? All those shenanigans won’t bring peace, and I am sure they know that, because they are not sincere with their up and down pleadings for peace.
“As for me and those who subscribe to my leadership, we condemn in totality that 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 characters and ideals of the people of Rivers State.”
In response, the RPWL, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Nimi Fiberisima, Secretary, Jennifer Boms Wolugbom, and Director of Publicity, Tambari Menete, accused Wike of attempting to “spin the narrative to soothe his purpose.” They argued that the peaceful nature of Rivers people was being exploited and warned that it would be “unfair and counter-productive” to continue along the path of blackmail.
“We are miffed by this constant unnecessary hitting up Rivers’ polity. It is trite to inform the public that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is not by any means involved or directed any of the Rivers Women to act on his behalf as to what transpired in Port Harcourt on Friday, May 2, 2025. The women are just organic supporters who do not want to be taken for a ride. Much as Governor Siminalayi Fubara is toeing the path of peace and embarking on reconciliation process, it does not translate to enslavement and/or insulting the sensibilities of Rivers people as being manipulated.”
They stressed that the walkout was not directed at Senator Tinubu or President Bola Tinubu, saying: “It is apparent that Rivers women did not and cannot walk out on the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu or disrespect her husband, President Bola Tinubu. Such a narrative is the imaginative spinning of Chief Nyesom Wike to blackmail Rivers people, as always. What people failed to understand is that political position is transient and in no time this phase of history will pass and all the actors will also fizzle out, some on the good side and some others on the bad side.”
The group recalled a similar incident in Delta State where nursing students expressed discontent in the presence of the First Lady, yet no outrage or linkage was made to the state governor. “Why are things always different in Rivers State just because Wike is a Minister?” they asked.
They further clarified the basis of the walkout, saying: “The truth remains that Rivers Women hold the Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in high esteem and couldn’t have walked out on her. The disconnect is that women were misinformed that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu would be represented by the wife of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, on the strength of which they happily mobilised and excitedly prepared to receive her. Unfortunately, as they gathered in expectation, they were shocked to see Mrs. Theresa Ibas, which in itself was improper.
“It is therefore unfounded and preposterous for Chief Nyesom Wike to suddenly conclude, as always, to say the least, that Rivers Women embarrassed the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and by extension Mr. President.
“Undoubtedly, Rivers women respect and love Mr. President, his leadership and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and support her visionary empowerment programme, Renewed Hope Initiative, but the challenge is that often, Chief Nyesom Wike tends to be more Catholic than the Pope. He feels he is the only Nigerian that loves and supports the President most, and almost believes that the President’s breath depends on him. Let it be clear to all that ‘a tree does not make a forest’. Let’s heed the caution of the time, as time, indeed, will certainly tell,” they stated.
