By Adesina Soyooye
Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has described the allegation made against him by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, over the disruption of an empowerment programme of First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as patently false.
Mrs Tinubu, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, asked the wife of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Mrs Theresa Ibas, to represent her at the RHI/SDG Empowerment Programme which she champions. It was the turn of Rivers State women, about 500 of them, to benefit from the programme.
However, the event turned awry when, on arrival, Mrs Tinubu was not present but was, instead, represented by Mrs Ibas. Disappointed, the women, most of whom have not been happy over the State of Emergency declared in the State by President Bola Tinubu since March 18, 2025, protested Mrs Ibas’ representation of First Lady Senator Tinubu.
When Mrs Ibas stood up to speak, most of them stood up in protest and insisted they have been short-changed. They said they were expecting Nigeria’s First Lady, not the wife of the Sole Administrator. In the absence of Mrs Tinubu, they said they expected Mrs Valerie Fubara. So, they staged a walk out, chanting “We want Sim. Bring back Sim. We expected Mrs Tinubu, not Mrs Ibas. Bring back Sim.”
However, Wike, Minister for the Federal Capital Territory who has been engaged in a political tug-of-war with his estranged political godson, Fubara, quickly put the blame on the suspended Governor. He alleged in a statement in which he apologised to Mrs Tinubu, that the women who protested and staged a walk-out were sponsored by Fubara. He alleged that it was Fubara who sponsored them to disrupt the programme.
In response, Fubara, in a statement said Wike’s allegations are further from the truth. He described them as patently false and wondered how he could have sabotaged a programme which he not only actively supported, but funded. “To insinuate that I would sabotage a programme I actively supported and funded is not only illogical but patently false”, the Governor fumed in a statement put out on his behalf by Mrs Tonye Briggs Oniyide, Rivers State Coordinator of Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Rivers State, released on Saturday. Titled:
Re: Misleading Statements from the FCT Minister’s Media Office , it reads:
“The attention of the Rivers State Office of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has been drawn to a regrettable and misleading statement issued by the Media Office of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which unjustly attempts to drag the name of the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, into an unfortunate narrative surrounding the RHI/SDG Empowerment Programme held in Port Harcourt on Friday.
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored such political mischief, but it is important to set the record straight for the benefit of the public.
“Governor Siminalayi Fubara is a strong supporter of the Renewed Hope Initiative, and remains deeply committed to its vision and objectives.
“Despite being on vacation, the Governor ensured full support —logistical and otherwise — for the success of the recent empowerment programme organised under the esteemed leadership of the First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“The event was progressing successfully, with the women of Rivers State expressing overwhelming appreciation for the initiative, until a disruption occurred when Mrs Theresa Ibas, wife of the Rivers State Administrator, 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.
“To insinuate that Governor Fubara would sabotage a programme he actively supported and funded is not only illogical but patently false. Such claims by Mr Lere Olayinka are deeply misleading and appear to be a calculated attempt to politicise a well-meaning, non-partisan event.
“The Rivers State RHI Office finds it unfortunate that certain individuals, rather than appreciating the Governor’s consistent support for women-focused initiatives, would instead resort to propaganda for narrow political gain. Rivers women are known for their dignity and unity beyond political affiliations, and it is only when external political actors attempt to impose their will that tensions arise.
“The RHI/SDG Empowerment Programme in Rivers State was a resounding success. All stakeholders, including the women beneficiaries, were pleased with the organisation and outcome of the event. The only disruption occurred during the speech by the wife of the Rivers State Administrator — an issue which has nothing to do with the Governor or the RHI Office.
“We, therefore, urge the public to disregard the unsubstantiated statements made by Mr Olayinka. His comments are not only baseless but betray a lack of understanding of the values and dynamics of Rivers State.
“We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for his unwavering support and commitment to the success of this programme and to the empowerment of the women of Rivers State”.
No doubt, this renewed spat between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike is likely to worsen the already dicey situation in the State, and dusrupt the peace, no matter how fragile, being worked out between Fubara and Wike.
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