Did Rivers Women Really Walk Out on Remi Tinubu? Here’s What Actually Happened

On Friday, 2nd May 2025, a group of women staged a protest during an empowerment event held at the EUI Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt. The event, organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative, aimed to empower 500 women across Rivers State.

Tensions rose when some attendees, including sacked local government vice-chairpersons loyal to Governor Sim Fubara, walked out of the venue. They alleged being sidelined and replaced on the programme list by individuals aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike.

Chanting pro-Fubara slogans, the protesters insisted that the governor’s wife, Valerie Fubara, should address them instead of Mrs Theresa Ibas, the wife of the state’s administrator. Despite the disruption, the programme continued inside with Mrs Ibas delivering remarks on behalf of the First Lady.

Wike Condemns Protest Against First Lady

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday 3rd May condemned the action of a group of women loyal to suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, over their walkout on the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during an empowerment programme in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The minister described the incident as a “show of shame” and an embarrassment to the people of Rivers State.

Wike, who is currently in China on official engagements, issued a statement on Saturday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

He described the walkout as a direct insult to the offices of the President and First Lady and offered an unreserved apology to President Bola Tinubu and his wife on behalf of the people of Rivers State.

“As for me and those who subscribe to my leadership, we condemn in totality 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 character and ideals of the people of Rivers State,” the statement partly read.

The former Rivers State Governor also alleged that the walkout was sponsored by his successor, Governor Fubara, adding that his “shenanigans” referring to the incident would not bring peace to the state.

He urged Fubara to “demonstrate honesty by being bold enough to tell President Tinubu what exactly he wants,” stating that the governor’s actions contradicted his peace appeals.

“It is not enough to be visiting people to plead for peace; those who genuinely want peace must work and act for it. These are the same people pleading for peace, yet doing things contrary to their words.

“How can you claim to want peace and at the same time sponsor people to insult everyone, including the President and his wife? All these shenanigans will not bring peace, and I am sure they know that because they are not sincere in their back-and-forth calls for peace,” he added.

Rivers Women Debunked Claims

The Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) in Rivers State, Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, has dismissed claims that supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara staged a walkout on Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during a women’s empowerment event held in Port Harcourt.

Briggs-Oniyide clarified that despite being on vacation, Governor Fubara ensured the programme received full logistical support. 

According to her, the event progressed smoothly until a disruption occurred when Mrs. Theresa Ibas, wife of the Rivers State Administrator, took the stage.

She said, “despite being on vacation, the Governor Fubara ensured full support logistical and otherwise for the success of the empowerment programme organised under the esteemed leadership of the First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu”.

She explained further: “The event was progressing successfully, with the women of Rivers State expressing overwhelming appreciation for the initiative, until a disruption occurred when the wife of the Rivers State Administrator, Mrs Theresa Ibas, was making a speech.

“At that point, the women in attendance vocally opposed her participation, stating clearly that they did not recognise her as their First Lady and would prefer not to be addressed by her.”

She described the accusations as “deeply misleading and a calculated attempt to politicise a well-meaning, non-partisan event,” adding that “Rivers women are known for their dignity and unity beyond political affiliations.”

Meanwhile, the suspended Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, has also denied any involvement in the disruption of the event.

In a statement personally signed, she said: “The allegations levelled against her regarding the supposed disruption of the empowerment programme were entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.”

She added that the allegations were “nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish her reputation and sow discord.”

Dr. Oreh also challenged the ‘Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation’ to provide proof to support their claims: “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agenda.”