Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has strongly criticized a walkout staged against First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu during an empowerment programme in Port Harcourt, describing the act as “disturbing and embarrassing.”
The incident occurred on May 2 at the Renewed Hope Initiative event, organized by the Office of the First Lady at the EUI Event Centre. The programme was designed to empower 500 women in Rivers State.
In a statement released through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike accused supporters of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara—particularly some sacked local government vice chairmen—of orchestrating the disruption.
Wike, currently on official duties in China, offered a public apology to the First Lady and President Bola Tinubu, saying, “Any insult directed at the First Lady is an insult to the Office of the President.”
He called on Fubara’s allies to stop what he described as actions that bring shame to the state. “If you truly want peace, you don’t undermine it with acts like this,” Wike said, accusing the group of hypocrisy in their calls for reconciliation while allegedly fueling political tension.
He added, “Yesterday’s show of shame does not reflect the values of Rivers people. We condemn it outright and sincerely apologise to the First Lady for the disgraceful behavior of a few.”
Wike concluded by reaffirming his commitment to preserving peace and order in the state, warning that disruptive acts will not be tolerated.