A fresh crisis has hit the peace talks between Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, after a protest disrupted a government event in Port Harcourt.
On Friday, women believed to be supporters of Fubara walked out during an empowerment programme meant to benefit 500 women. The programme was organized by the office of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the EUI Event Centre in Port Harcourt.
The women protested when the wife of the Sole Administrator, Mrs. Theresa Ibas, was invited to speak on behalf of the First Lady. They shouted, “We want SIM!” and “We want Valerie Fubara!” Some held placards and wore vests that read, “Mrs Tinubu and Fubara.”
One of the women told reporters, “We were told the First Lady was coming, only to see the wife of the Sole Administrator. We don’t know her.”
Wike, who is currently in China on official duty, condemned the walkout. In a statement by his aide, Lere Olayinka, he called it “very disturbing and embarrassing” and accused Fubara of not being honest in the peace process.
Wike said, “You can’t be pleading for peace while sponsoring people to insult the President and his wife. Those shenanigans won’t bring peace.”
Wike also apologised to the First Lady, saying, “As a leader in Rivers State, I apologise to the First Lady for the embarrassing conduct of those few women who do not represent the values of Rivers people.”
An ally of Wike, Samuel Nwanosike, also criticised Fubara. “You cannot claim to seek peace and at the same time allow your supporters to stage protests and create unrest,” he said.
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However, Fubara’s camp denied the allegations. The President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, said Wike was trying to destroy the peace process.
Okaba said, “Fubara would never do such a thing. The women were only expressing their displeasure. There was no insult to the First Lady. They felt deceived.”
Fubara’s media aide, Jerry Omatsogunwa, added, “The governor did not send anyone to protest. The women were expecting the President’s wife, not the wife of the sole administrator.”
He also mentioned that labour unions boycotted the May Day rally because they do not recognise the sole administrator.
The political crisis in Rivers State started after Fubara tried to become more independent from Wike, who is believed to still hold power in the state. Despite President Tinubu’s intervention and a peace agreement signed in December 2023, tensions have continued.
Chief Segun Osoba, a leader in the All Progressives Congress, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum have continued to push for peace.
Osoba said, “The peace-building process between Fubara and Wike is ongoing and fruitful. It is people on social media causing confusion.”
The situation remains tense as both sides trade blame, while Nigerians watch to see if true peace can return to Rivers State.