There was mild drama on Friday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital when a group of women walked out of the renewed hope initiative empowerment programme, demanding the return of suspended Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara.
The event was organised at the behest of the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, in collaboration with the office of the senior special adviser to the president on sustainable development goals.
The programme was convened to distribute empowerment items to women across the state.
However, the programme took an unexpected turn when Theresa, wife of Ibok-Ette Ibas — the sole administrator of the state — was invited to speak, prompting some women to walk out of the event, chanting slogans like “Bring back Fubara, we don’t know Ibas”, and “We want Sim.”
The demonstration continued outside the event centre as the programme went on indoors, with Ibas’ wife delivering a speech on behalf of the first lady.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the prolonged political crisis.
He also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers assembly for a period of six months.
The president appointed Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.
After his appointment, Ibas suspended all political office holders appointed by Fubara.
Several stakeholders have criticised Ibas over the handling of the state’s affairs.
Wike apologizes, tackles Fubara, supporters
Meanwhile, in a swift reaction, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, blamed Governor Fubara for the women’s action described it as “disturbing and embarrassing”.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Lere Olayinka, his senior special assistant on public communications and social media, Wike condemned the walkout and apologised to President Bola Tinubu and the first lady.
“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 apologise.”
The former governor, who is currently in China on an official engagement, implored Fubara’s supporters to stop soiling the image of the state.
Wike accused the governor of double-speak, urging him to be sincere in his engagements with the presidency.
In April, Fubara reportedly met with Tinubu in London over the protracted political crisis that culminated in his suspension.
“It is not enough to be visiting people to plead for peace. Those who genuinely want peace work and act for it,” Wike added.
“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.”
Wike said he and his supporters “condemn” the protest “in totality”.
“We apologise to our first lady for the embarrassing conduct of those few women who do not reflect the values and ideals of Rivers state,” he added.