In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, hundreds of women participating in an empowerment program staged a walkout on Friday, demanding to be addressed by either the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, or the wife of the state governor, Lady Valerie Sim-Fubara.
The event, part of the Renewed Hope Initiative organized by the First Lady’s office, was intended to provide empowerment items to 500 women in the state.
The women, many dressed in traditional attire, had gathered expecting the First Lady to be present.
However, when Dr. Theresa Ibas, wife of the State Sole Administrator, was invited to speak in Tinubu’s place, the atmosphere became tense.
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The women began chanting slogans such as “We want SIM!” and “We want Valerie Fubara!” referring to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his wife, whom they consider the legitimate First Lady of the state.
They also chanted, “We don’t know Ibas. Tinunu is our President, and our governor is Sim Fubara.”
Speaking to reporters, one of the women explained that they were told the First Lady of Nigeria would be present, and if not her, then Governor Fubara’s wife should address them, not someone representing someone they don’t recognize.
Another protester, Favour Ekpeye, clarified that their action was not a rejection of the President’s wife but a protest against the substitution.
She stated they left because they expected the President’s wife to address them, not the wife of the sole administrator.
Ekpeye emphasized their support for both the President and his wife’s empowerment initiatives but reiterated their loyalty to their governor and his wife, saying, “We have a governor that we love, and we support our governor.”
Despite attempts by the organizers to calm the crowd, the women continued their chants and gradually left the venue.
See video below:
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