Minister Wike Slams Rivers Women's Walkout on First Lady, Tinubu
Unsettling Incident: Wike Criticizes Walkout During Speech by Rivers Sole Administrator's Spouse
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has spoken out against a group of women from Rivers State who staged a walkout on Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, during a women's empowerment event. This incident took place at the EUI Centre in Port Harcourt.
According to our sources, the event, part of the Renewed Hope Initiative, turned sour when the women refused to listen to Dr. Theresa Ibas, the wife of the State Sole Administrator, who represented Senator Tinubu. The women demanded to be addressed by Valerie Fubara, the wife of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, instead.
In a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike, the Minister expressed his disapproval of the walkout. He apologized to Senator Tinubu and the people of Rivers State on behalf of the state, calling the incident a direct insult to the office of the President.
Wike, currently in China for official duties, described the episode as "very disturbing and embarrassing." He urged supporters of the suspended Governor to stop embarrassing the State and demonstrate honesty by openly discussing their concerns with President Tinubu.
The Minister advised Fubara to communicate honestly and directly with President Tinubu, rather than engaging in insincere pleas for peace and undermining the State's reputation. He stressed that true peace-makers take action, not just make hollow promises.
Wike condemned the women's protest, stating that their behavior does not represent the character and ideals of the people of Rivers State. He apologized to the First Lady for the embarrassing conduct of the few women involved.
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[1] It is essential to clarify that the walkout was not a demonstration of disrespect towards Senator Tinubu but a protest against the substitution of speakers at the Renewed Hope Initiative programme.[2] Some news outlets have misconstrued the situation, suggesting the walkout was a direct insult to Senator Tinubu personally.[3] The women's protest was aimed at expressing dissatisfaction with the absence of their preferred leaders and demanding the reinstatement of the suspended Governor so his wife could address them.[4] There are reports from certain quarters that misinterpret the situation and suggest the walkout was not against Senator Tinubu herself but a response to the political tensions and substitutions in leadership representation at the event.[5] The core issue is the replacement of anticipated speakers at the Renewed Hope Initiative event: Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, or Lady Valerie Sim-Fubara, the wife of the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
- The incident at the Renewed Hope Initiative event in Port Harcourt, where women demanded Valerie Fubara instead of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is not indicative of disrespect towards Senator Tinubu, but a protest against speaker substitutions.
- Some media outlets have misconstrued the situation, implying that the walkout was a personal insult towards Senator Tinubu.
- The women's protest aimed to express dissatisfaction with the absence of their preferred leaders and advocate for the reinstatement of the suspended Governor, enabling his wife to address them.
- Reports suggest that the misunderstanding lies in the political tensions and leadership substitutions at the Renewed Hope Initiative event rather than a direct insult to Senator Tinubu herself.
- The primary issue revolves around the replacement of anticipated speakers at the Renewed Hope Initiative event, namely Senator Oluremi Tinubu or Lady Valerie Sim-Fubara.
