The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has tendered a public apology to President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu after a group of women in Rivers State, allegedly loyal to embattled Governor Siminalayi Fubara, staged a walkout during an official empowerment programme hosted by the First Lady in Port Harcourt.
The incident, which occurred at the EUI Event Centre in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of the state capital, marred what was intended to be a landmark occasion under the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative — a federal empowerment project designed to benefit over 500 women across Rivers State.
Reports indicate that the walkout was triggered by discontent among women loyal to Governor Fubara, particularly some sacked local government vice-chairpersons who alleged they were sidelined from the programme in favour of allies of former governor Wike. The unexpected disruption left observers stunned and sparked outrage among the state’s political elite.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister, currently in China on official duties, condemned the walkout as “a show of shame” and an insult to the highest offices in the country.
“The embarrassing conduct of a few women does not represent the character and ideals of Rivers people. On behalf of all well-meaning citizens of the state, I tender an unreserved apology to the President and the First Lady,” Wike stated.
Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, accused Governor Fubara of masterminding the disruption. He alleged that Fubara’s administration has been two-faced in its peace overtures while simultaneously sponsoring divisive actions that destabilise the state.
“It is not enough to plead for peace in public while using proxies to insult the President and his wife in private. This kind of insincerity does not foster unity,” Wike added, warning that Fubara’s “shenanigans” would only deepen the political crisis brewing in the state.
The deepening rift between Wike and his successor, Fubara, has been a major political subplot in Rivers since late 2023, culminating in an increasingly public and bitter power struggle. The latest incident involving the First Lady has further exposed the fault lines within the political structure of the oil-rich state, potentially complicating President Tinubu’s efforts to mediate peace among the factions.
Political observers view the walkout as a calculated snub, not just of the First Lady, but of the Tinubu administration’s attempt to reassert federal influence and unity in Rivers State. The act also sends a strong message about the state of grassroots loyalty, especially among women’s groups historically aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meanwhile, supporters of Governor Fubara have denied the walkout was orchestrated by their camp, instead accusing Wike’s loyalists of deliberately sidelining genuine stakeholders and inflaming tensions by controlling access to federal programmes.
As the controversy simmers, calls have intensified for the presidency to take a firmer stance on the political unrest in Rivers. Civil society groups have urged both leaders to prioritise governance over personal vendettas, noting that such public spectacles harm the image of the state and the dignity of national institutions.
The First Lady has yet to issue an official comment on the walkout, but sources close to the presidency describe her as “disappointed” by the disruption. Security operatives reportedly de-escalated the incident before it could spiral into chaos, and the event was concluded with the remaining attendees.
The public apology from Wike signals his attempt to preserve federal goodwill and reposition himself politically, but it also highlights the persistent volatility in Rivers politics. As 2025 unfolds, the Tinubu administration may face increased pressure to resolve intra-party disputes that threaten the unity and stability of key states like Rivers — a strategic stronghold in Nigeria’s political and economic landscape.