The Rivers State Women Association of Nigeria (RIVSWAN) has vehemently condemned what it calls an “unwarranted and malicious attack” by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against Dame Judith Amaechi, the former First Lady of Rivers State.
The group, through its acting president, Ichechi Welendu, was responding to Wike’s recent claim on a national television program, where he alleged that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was paying Dame Amaechi ₦4 billion monthly for training Niger Delta women.
In a strongly worded statement, RIVSWAN dismissed Wike’s claims as “baseless falsehoods driven by bitterness, ignorance, and a worrying lack of self-restraint.”
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The association urged the public to disregard what it labeled “a concocted story fueled by personal vendetta and misinformation.” Welendu added, “The entire allegation is not only laughable but an embarrassment to public discourse. It reflects either a gross misunderstanding of the NDDC’s budgetary structure or a deliberate effort to smear the name of a respected woman of substance.”
Welendu lauded Dame Judith Amaechi’s philanthropic legacy, particularly highlighting her work through the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), a non-governmental organization reportedly dedicated to supporting girl-child education and women’s empowerment throughout the region.
The association asserted that the former first lady has invested her own resources to uplift women in the Niger Delta and should not face public ridicule based on unsubstantiated accusations.
RIVSWAN also criticized Wike’s live television remarks as a “slap on the face of Rivers women” and a “disgraceful abuse of national platforms.”
They challenged the FCT Minister to publicly provide documents to substantiate his claims or retract his statement.
The group declared, “Dame Judith Amaechi is a moral compass, a gospel preacher, and a champion of good governance. Her support for her husband, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, during his era of infrastructural transformation is well documented.”
RIVSWAN warned that if Wike fails to provide proof for his allegations, they could take “legitimate actions, including peaceful protests across Rivers State.”
The group also called upon President Bola Tinubu to caution the Minister, stating that his “unguided utterances are unbecoming of a federal cabinet member.”
In conclusion, the women’s association reaffirmed their strong support for Dame Judith Amaechi, describing her as a “pillar of progress and a matriarch of the Rivers women’s movement.” Welendu concluded, “Her contributions helped restore Rivers State to its cherished status as the Garden City. We stand with her.”
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