Wike and Fubara
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He described the incident as “very disturbing and embarrassing” and sent a strong message to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his supporters.
The Rivers women had walked out on the wife of the state’s sole administrator, who had stood in for the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, at during an Empowerment Programme organised by the Nigerian First Lady, Remi Tinubu, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Thursday.
The women who staged the walkout were reportedly loyal to the suspended governor, Fubara.
“We want Valerie Sim-Fubara or Remi Tinubu to address us, not the wife of Ibas! We want Sim!” one was heard saying.
Some stated that Ibas’ wife did not have any right to address the Rivers women, saying she is a stranger to them.
“She is a stranger. She does not have the right to address us. Let Fubara’s wife, Lady Valerie Fubara or President Tinubu come and address Rivers’ women. We need our governor back,” she said.
Wike, who is currently on official duty in China, released a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka. In the statement, he apologized to the First Lady and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on behalf of the people of Rivers State.
“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, and as a leader in Rivers State, I apologize,” he said.Nigerian political art prints
Angered by the development, Wike accused Fubara of sponsoring the walk out and getting his loyalists to disrespect the President and his wife, despite seeking peace.
These are the same people pleading for peace, but at the same time doing things that are contrary to what they are pleading for,” Wike said.
“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.”
The minister also absolved himself and his supporters of any involvement in the incident.
“As for me and those who subscribe to my leadership, we condemn in totality that yesterday’s show of shame and we apologise 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.”
