You Spend More Time Causing Problems in Rivers Than Doing Your Job as FCT Minister – Rivers Women Slam Wike Over Remi Tinubu Walkout Claims

The Rivers Professional Women League has pushed back against claims made by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, following a protest at an empowerment event hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in Port Harcourt. Wike, through a statement issued by his aide, Lere Olayinka, alleged that the demonstration was politically motivated and orchestrated by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to embarrass the president and his wife.

In a swift rebuttal, the women’s group described the minister’s comments as “false and misleading,” accusing him of twisting the facts to discredit Rivers people. A joint statement signed by the league’s president, Nimi Fiberesima, secretary, Jennifer Boms Wolugbom, and director of publicity, Tambari Menete, insisted that Rivers women hold deep respect for President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady. They called Wike’s version of events an “imaginative spin” designed to paint the protest in a negative light.

The group explained that attendees were initially informed that the First Lady would be represented by Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, wife of the speaker of the House of Representatives. However, the event was ultimately presided over by Theresa Ibas, wife of the state’s sole administrator, which reportedly caused confusion and dissatisfaction among some participants.

They maintained that the women’s frustration stemmed from this unexpected change, not any intention to show disrespect to the First Lady or the president. “Rivers women did not and cannot walk out on Senator Oluremi Tinubu or disrespect President Bola Tinubu,” the statement emphasized, adding that their support for the Renewed Hope Initiative remains strong.

The league also noted that a similar walkout occurred during a separate event attended by the First Lady in Delta State, which did not provoke the same political backlash. They accused Wike of spending more time stirring division in Rivers than fulfilling his duties as FCT minister, and criticized what they described as his tendency to overstate his loyalty to the president.