River’s women walk out on Theresa Ibas during empowerment program; ‘stop the pretense’ _ Wike snapped

A group of angry women walked out on the wife of the Rivers State Sole Administrator during an empowerment program at the E.U.I. Event Centre in Port Harcourt on Friday, May 2, 2025.

The incident occurred as the women gathered for Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative held in partnership with the office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aimed to empower 500 women across Rivers State with items like freezers, gas cookers, and generators.

Theresa Ibas, the wife of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, who was representing the First Lady of Nigeria, was about to give a speech when the women began to walk away, chanting, “We want SIM! We don’t know Ibas” insisting that only Valerie Fubara, the wife of the suspended governor, should address them.

The protest is not unconnected with the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Fubara and appoint Ibas as the interim sole administrator.

The incident highlights the deepening tension between federal authorities and local loyalty in Rivers State as some observers see the protest as a public rejection of the federal political structure in Rivers and an open show of loyalty to suspended Governor Fubara.

Though the protesters continued their agitation outside the venue, the programme proceeded unhindered indoors, with the administrator’s wife delivering the speech on behalf of the First Lady.

Tinubu said the scheme has already been completed in the North Central zone, with the Rivers State event marking its conclusion in the South-South region.

According to her, the initiative was part of a broader national programme targeting 18,500 women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Beneficiaries received items such as freezers, gas cookers with ovens, grinding machines, and generators.

“These tools are designed to help our women establish and grow successful businesses, contributing to the nation’s prosperity.

“This program reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes inclusivity, economic growth, and sustainable development—particularly for women,” the First Lady said.

But the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has publicly condemned the walkout staged by the group of women during the event hosted by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in Port Harcourt.

Wike described the incident as “a show of shame” and an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State. The women involved are believed to be loyalists of the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and social media, Lere Olayinka, Wike extended a formal apology to both Tinubu and the First Lady on behalf of Rivers residents.

“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,” Wike stated. “As a leader in Rivers State, I apologise.”