Former female Presidential Candidate reacts to women empowerment programme incident in Port Harcourt
A former female Presidential Candidate, Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria has reacted to the incident that happened at the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme in Port Harcourt, where 500 women were meant to receive support items from the first lady Senator Remi Tinubu on May 1st 2025, but walked out on Mrs. Theresa Ibas, wife of the Rivers State Sole Administrator.
The incident happened at the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme in Port Harcourt, where 500 women were meant to receive support items. However the women began to chant, “We want FUBARA, and his wife, Illegality remains illegal, The humiliation is too much…Stand for the Truth! etc.”
In a report on Saturday, May 3, 2025 by Doris Israel Ijeoma, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has reacted to the walkout staged yesterday on Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, by some women loyal to suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike, speaking from China where he is on official duty, called the incident a disgrace to the people of Rivers State.
Through a Saturday statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike apologized to the First Lady and President Bola Tinubu, saying that such behaviour was shameful and disrespectful not only to the President’s wife but also to the office of the President itself.
Wike criticized the actions of those supporting the suspended governor, warning them to stop embarrassing the state with such behaviour. He urged Fubara to show honesty and come forward with his real demands to President Tinubu instead of sending mixed signals.
Wike stressed that true peace requires genuine actions, not just public pleas. He said it makes no sense to talk about peace while secretly sponsoring moves that create insult and chaos, including disrespect toward the President and his wife. He again offered an apology to the First Lady for what he called a shameful display at the event.
However, Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies stated that, “The said walkout incident staged by some women to support suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during the event featuring Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme in Port Harcourt,” is a significant event that warrants analysis.
According to her, “The analysis of the Walkout Incident by Women at the Renewed Hope Initiative Empowerment Programme reveals possible Reasons for the demonstration:
- Political Loyalty: The women may have been demonstrating their loyalty to Fubara and expressing their dissatisfaction with the current political situation in Rivers State being undemocratically ruled by a sole administrator.
- Protest against Wike’s Influence: The walkout could be seen as a protest against the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who is perceived to be at odds with Governor Fubara.
- Disagreement with the Organizer of the Programme: The women may have issues not with the programme itself, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu or disrespect her husband, President Bola Tinubu, but against Mrs.Theresa Ibas, wife of the Rivers State Sole Administrator, who is an unconstitutional first lady as far as they are concerned.
Implications of the Incident:
- Political Tensions: The incident highlights the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, particularly between Governor Fubara and Minister Wike.
- Public Perception: The walkout may be perceived as a sign of disrespect to the First Lady and the President, potentially damaging the reputation of Fubara and his supporters which is however not, as Fubara is pursuing peace.
- Impact on Programme Credibility: The incident may affect the credibility of the Renewed Hope Initiative programme and the government’s efforts to empower women in the state. President Tinubu would have to thus restore the confidence of the Rivers people democratically as soon as possible.
Analysis of the Women’s Actions:
- Organized Protest: The walkout appears to have been unorganized, but the women reacted as they were unhappy with the current happenings in the state spontaneously.
- Symbolic Gesture: The walkout may be seen as a symbolic gesture of defiance and solidarity with Fubara, and his wife against the Sole Administrator and his wife rather than just a spontaneous reaction.
- Potential Consequences: The women’s actions may have consequences for their relationship with the government and the programme, potentially affecting their access to support and benefits.
Overall, the walkout incident highlights the complex political dynamics at play in Rivers State and the need for leaders to engage with their constituents and address their concerns in a constructive manner. Therefore Adesanya-Davies calls for Truce, Peace, Unity, and Harmony towards Progress in the state.
The Peace Consul Bishop Prof Funmilayo Davies explains:
“The recent incident at the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme in Port Harcourt, where some women walked out on the event, is a stark reminder of the need for peace, unity, and harmony in our society. As a former female Presidential Candidate, I, Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, am compelled to react to this incident and urge all stakeholders to prioritize the progress and well-being of our great nation.”
She continued,
“The Importance of Peace and Unity
Peace and unity are essential for progress and development. When we are united, we can work together to achieve our goals and overcome challenges. However, when we are divided, we become vulnerable to conflicts and stagnation.”
The Need for Constructive Engagement
Rather than resorting to walkouts and protests, we should engage in constructive dialogue and find peaceful solutions to our differences. We must learn to disagree without being disagreeable and work towards finding common ground.
A Call to Action
I urge all stakeholders, including government officials, community leaders, and citizens, to prioritize peace, unity, and harmony. Let us work together to build a society that is inclusive, equitable, and just for all.
The Role of Women in Promoting Peace and Unity
As women, we have a critical role to play in promoting peace and unity in our society. We must use our unique perspectives and experiences to build bridges and foster understanding.
In conclusion, I reiterate my call for peace, unity, and harmony towards progress. Let us work together to build a better future for ourselves and for generations to come. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our nation to prioritize peace, unity, and harmony. May the Almighty God continue to bless Rivers State and Nigeria and guide us towards a brighter future!”
‘I believe Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike as Christians in a Christian State would co-operate to let peace prevail and shame the devil. I beg them by the special grace of God in our Lord Jesus Christ’s precious name! – This is a word of appeal from the Nigerian Christian ELDERS at the Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA), where I serve as the Secretary!”
We would recall on 23, April 2025, the “The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) has appealed to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to play a pivotal role in fostering peace, reconciliation, and stability in the state amid ongoing political crisis.
Ibas made the call during a meeting with CAN leaders at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The Administrator emphasised the importance of the Church’s moral guidance in restoring harmony, and described the Easter season as a reminder of hope, sacrifice, and unity.
According to the sole administrator, “The unity of the Church is the seedbed for the unity of the State. Where the Church leads in love, the people will follow in peace.”
The Administrator assured that his administration remains people-centred, accessible, and committed to justice and equity. He called for collective action, emphasising that sustainable peace requires dialogue, collaboration, and understanding.
The Administrator urged religious leaders to remain steadfast in prayer and bold in truth, drawing inspiration from the Easter message. He expressed confidence that, with CAN’s support and divine guidance, Rivers State would emerge stronger and more united.”
Bishop Adesanya-Davies commends The Admiral for speaking so well. God bless you for blessed are the peace makers sir.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
Indeed, peacemakers play a vital role in promoting harmony, understanding, and reconciliation. Their efforts can have a profound impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. And so shall it be in Rivers State.
In the same vein, The RIVERS PROFESSIONAL WOMEN LEAGUE has replied Nyenson Wike, saying, “Illegality remains illegal…The humiliation is too much…Stand for the Truth!”
They responded to an overburdened response of Wike to Women Walk Out, is Not on Nigeria First Lady, but on Mrs. Ibas, who is not their constitutional first lady in Rives State.
The reports reads, “We read the reactions on Rivers women walkout yesterday on Mrs. Theresa Ibas, wife of the Rivers State Sole Administrator by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike and his attempt to spin the narrative to sooth his purpose.
By the content of the response signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lanre Olayinka, Chief Nyesom Wike wants Rivers women to be beaten and coerced at the same time not to cry. It is like killing one’s goat and showing him the stick with which you used to kill the goat.
We would have ignored the statement as usual, but for the fact that each time, Chief Nyesom Wike wants to use every reaction of Rivers people against injustice, high handedness and inequities against them to blackmail an elected governor of the people before President Bola Tinubu, is what is most baffling and inglorious.
This unfortunate situation only calls for divine intervention. As it is, using the peaceful disposition of Rivers people to hunt them has become the article in trade in recent times and it will be unfair and counter productive to continue on this path of blackmail. Need we remind Chief Nyesom Wike that the rain does not fall on the roof of one man alone. What affects the eyes also affect the nose
It has become more surprising that Chief Nyesom Wike has devoted more time to activities in Rivers State beyond his primary place of assignment in Abuja where he is superintending over as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. If we may ask, is that how other Ministers are operating in their home States?
We are miffed by this constant unnecessary hitting up Rivers polity. It is trite to inform the public that Gov. Siminalayi Fubara is not by any means involved or directed any of the Rivers Women to act on his behalf as to what transpired in Port Harcourt on Friday, May 2, 2025. The women are just organic supporters who do not want to be taken for a ride. Much as Governor Siminalayi Fubara is toeing the path of peace and embarking on reconciliation process, does not translate to enslavement and/or insulting the sensibility of Rivers people as being manipulated.
It is apparent that Rivers women did not and cannot walk out on the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu or disrespect her husband, President Bola Tinubu. Such a narrative is the imaginative spinning of Chief Nyesom Wike to blackmail Rivers people as always. What people failed to understand is that political position is transient and in no time this phase of history will pass and all the actors will also fizzle out, some on the good side and some others on the bad side.
Particular note should be taken that a similar event in Delta saw Nursing School students express their discontent in the presence of the First Lady and no one shouted blue murder against the governor or linked the action to the Governor even though the students were mobilised by the State. Why are things always different in Rivers State just because Wike is a Minister?
The truth remains that Rivers Women hold the Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in high esteem and couldn’t have walked out on her. The disconnect is that women were misinformed that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu will be represented by the wife of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hajiya Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, on the strength of which they happily mobilised and excitedly prepared to receive her. Unfortunately, as they gathered in expectation, they were shocked to see Mrs. Theresa Ibas which in itself was improper.
It is therefore unfounded and preposterous for Chief Nyesom Wike to suddenly conclude as always to say the least that Rivers Women embarrassed the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and by extension Mr. President.
Undoubtedly, Rivers women respect and love Mr. President, his leadership and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and support her visionary empowerment programme, Renewed Hope Initiative, but the challenge is that often, Chief Nyesom Wike tends to be more Catholic than the Pope. He feels he is the only Nigerian that loves and supports the President most, and almost believes that the President’s breath depends on him. Let it be clear to all that “a tree does not make a forest”. Let’s heed the caution of the time, as time, indeed, will certainly tell.
Their correspondence was Signed by:
- Nimi Fiberisima, Esq.
President.
- Jennifer Boms Wolugbom, Secretary.
- Tambari Menete, Director of Publicity.
