Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike , has denounced the walkout staged by a group of women loyal to the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, during an event attended by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Wike described the incident as an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State.
In a statement yesterday by his senior special assistant on public communications and social media, Lere Olayinka, the minister, who is in China for official engagements, described the incident as “very disturbing and embarrassing,” cautioning supporters of the suspended governor to desist from ridiculing the state.
He emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating, “An 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. As a leader in Rivers State, I apologise,” he said.
The walkout occurred during the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme at the EUI Event Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt, which aimed to support 500 women in the community with various empowerment items.
The protest was led by some dismissed local government Vice Chairmen.
Describing the event as “very disturbing and embarrassing,” Wike urged supporters of the suspended governor to refrain from actions that undermine the state’s reputation.
He advised Fubara to be honest and clear in his communications with President Tinubu instead of providing mixed signals.
“It is not enough to be visiting people to plead for peace, those who genuinely want peace work and act for it. 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.
“As for me and those who subscribe to my leadership, we condemn in totality that yesterday’s show of shame and we apologize to our First Lady for the embarrassing conduct of those few women who do not represent the characters and ideals of the people of Rivers State,” he said.
