The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has strongly condemned the walkout staged by a group of women during a First Lady’s empowerment event in Port Harcourt, describing it as a disgrace to Rivers State.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike said the incident was an embarrassment and unworthy of the state’s values.
The women, reportedly loyal to suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, walked out of the Renewed Hope Initiative Empowerment programme, an event hosted by the Office of the First Lady to empower 500 women with items such as deep-chest freezers, gas cookers, generators, and industrial grinding machines.
Wike, currently on an official visit to China, expressed deep disappointment and apologised to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and President Bola Tinubu on behalf of the people of Rivers.
“An insult to the First Lady’s representative is an insult to President Tinubu. As a leader from Rivers State, I sincerely apologise,” he said.
The Minister cautioned Fubara’s supporters against acts that tarnish the state’s image and called on the embattled governor to be honest with his intentions.
“It’s not enough to beg for peace while sponsoring acts that contradict it. You can’t seek peace and simultaneously promote actions that disrespect the president and his wife,” Wike added.
He described the walkout as a “shameful show” and reaffirmed that the actions of a few do not represent the values and dignity of Rivers people.
(NAN)
