The Rivers Professional Women League has dismissed claims by Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), that they disrespected President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, during an empowerment programme held in Port Harcourt.
The league accused Wike of attempting to “spin the narrative” surrounding the incident, where some women walked out of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) event sponsored by the first lady in partnership with the office of the senior special adviser to the president on sustainable development goals.
Wike, in a statement by his aide, Lere Olayinka, had alleged that the protest was orchestrated by Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended Rivers state governor, to embarrass the president and his wife.
But the league, in a statement signed by Nimi Fiberesima, its president; Jennifer Boms Wolugbom, the secretary; and Tambari Menete, director of publicity; said the minister’s claims were “false and misleading”.
“It is apparent that Rivers women did not and cannot walk out on the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu or disrespect her husband, President Bola Tinubu. Such a narrative is the imaginative spinning of Chief Nyesom Wike to blackmail Rivers people as always,” the statement reads.
“It is therefore unfounded and preposterous for Chief Nyesom Wike to suddenly conclude as always to say the least that Rivers Women embarrassed the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and by extension Mr. President.“
The group explained that they had been informed that the first lady would be represented by Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, wife of the speaker of the house of representatives, but were instead received by Theresa Ibas, wife of the state’s sole administrator.
This change, according to the group, triggered discontent among some attendees.
“Undoubtedly, Rivers women respect and love Mr. President, his leadership and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and support her visionary empowerment programme, Renewed Hope Initiative,” the statement added.
“But the challenge is that often, Chief Nyesom Wike tends to be more Catholic than the Pope. He feels he is the only Nigerian that loves and supports the President most, and almost believes that the President’s breath depends on him.”
The group also cited a similar protest during an event in Delta state attended by the first lady, noting that it did not attract the same political undertone.
They accused Wike of spending more time stirring tensions in Rivers than focusing on his role as FCT minister.
