Wike Apologises to Tinubu Over Walkout by Rivers Women

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has apologized to President Bola Tinubu following the walkout on Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, by some women during a Renewed Hope Initiative Empowerment Programme in Portharcourt on Friday.

Recall that some Rivers women refused to listen to the address by the wife of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Dr Theresa Ibas who represented the first lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu during the empowerment programme.

While Ibas was about to read the address of the first lady, the women snubbed her chanting, “We want SIM!, “We want Valerie Fubara!” in reference to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his wife, whom they identified as the legitimate First Lady of the state.

“We don’t know Ibas. Tinunu is our President, and our governor is Sim Fubara” they said and referred to her as an “imposter”.

Wike, reacting to the development from China where he is on official duty, called the incident a disgrace to the people of Rivers State.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Saturday Wike apologized to the First Lady and President Bola Tinubu, saying that such behaviour was shameful and disrespectful not only to the President’s wife but also to the office of the President itself.

He said that the women who walked out were reportedly led by some sacked local government vice chairmen.

Wike criticized the actions of those supporting the suspended governor, warning them to stop embarrassing the state with such behaviour.

He urged Fubara to show honesty and come forward with his real demands to President Tinubu instead of sending mixed signals.

Wike stressed that true peace requires genuine actions, not just public pleas.

He said it makes no sense to talk about peace while secretly sponsoring moves that create insult and chaos, including disrespect toward the President and his wife.

Wike made it clear that he and his supporters reject the actions that took place and do not see those involved as representing the true values of Rivers people.