Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has blamed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for a walkout by some women during a visit by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Port Harcourt.
Wike described the incident as “disturbing and embarrassing” and apologized on behalf of the people of Rivers State. “An insult on anyone representing the First Lady of Nigeria is a direct insult on President Tinubu. As a leader in Rivers, I apologise,” he said in a statement released on Saturday by his aide, Lere Olayinka.
The walkout happened during a Renewed Hope Initiative Empowerment Programme organized by the First Lady’s office to support 500 women with items like deep freezers, gas cookers with ovens, generators, and industrial grinding machines.
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The protesting women, reportedly loyal to Governor Fubara and led by sacked local government vice-chairpersons, left the event before it ended.
Speaking from China, where he is on official duty, Wike said, “It is shameful that people who claim they want peace are the same ones causing public embarrassment. You can’t say one thing and do another.”
He urged Governor Fubara to be honest with President Tinubu.
“If he has something to say to the president, let him say it clearly. This kind of behavior will not bring peace,” Wike said.
The minister said the women who staged the protest do not represent the values of Rivers people. He called on Fubara’s supporters to stop actions that could bring shame to the state.