Rivers Professional Women League (RPWL) has refuted claims made by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, who described their walkout during an event organized by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s representative as “very disturbing and embarrassing.”On Friday, the women walked out of the empowerment program, refusing to be addressed by Dr. Theresa Ibas, the wife of the sole administrator, who represented the First Lady
They explained that they were misled into believing that Fatima Abass, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, would be addressing them.
The women accused the FCT Minister of misrepresenting the events that occurred on Friday.
Wike, in a statement by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, said: “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.”
However the Rivers Professional Women League (RPWL),In a joint statement, through their President Nimi Fiberisima, Secretary Jennifer Boms Wolugbom, and Director of Publicity Tambari Menete, countered Minister Wike’s description of their walkout as disturbing and embarrassing.
The women asserted that the minister was attempting to “spin the narrative to soothe his purpose.”
They argued that portraying the peaceful nature of Rivers people as a weakness to exploit has become common practice recently.
The RPWL stated that it would be unfair and counter-productive to continue this “path of blackmail.” They further claimed that Minister Wike has been dedicating a significant amount of time to Rivers State affairs, exceeding his responsibilities as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
“We are miffed by this constant unnecessary hitting up Rivers’ polity. It is trite to inform the public that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is not by any means involved or directed any of the Rivers Women to act on his behalf as to what transpired in Port Harcourt on Friday, May 2, 2025. The women are just organic supporters who do not want to be taken for a ride. Much as Governor Siminalayi Fubara is toeing the path of peace and embarking on reconciliation process, it does not translate to enslavement and/or insulting the sensibilities of Rivers people as being manipulated.
“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. What people failed to understand is that political position is transient and in no time this phase of history will pass and all the actors will also fizzle out, some on the good side and some others on the bad side.”
The Rivers Professional Women League (RPWL) highlighted a similar incident in Delta State where nursing school students voiced their grievances in the presence of the First Lady without any backlash against the governor or any connection made to him, despite the students allegedly being mobilized by the state. They questioned why Rivers State is treated differently, asking, “Why are things always different in Rivers State just because Wike is a Minister?”
“The truth remains that Rivers Women hold the Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in high esteem and couldn’t have walked out on her. The disconnect is that women were misinformed that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu would be represented by the wife of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, on the strength of which they happily mobilised and excitedly prepared to receive her. Unfortunately, as they gathered in expectation, they were shocked to see Mrs. Theresa Ibas, which in itself was improper.
“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.
“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, 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. Let it be clear to all that ‘a tree does not make a forest’. Let’s heed the caution of the time, as time, indeed, will certainly tell,” they said.
