From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Tension flared in Rivers State on Friday, as hundreds of women staged a dramatic walkout from the “Renewed Hope Initiative” empowerment programme organised by the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu.
The event, which was billed to feature the presentation of empowerment items to 500 women in the state, turned chaotic when the wife of the Sole Administrator, Mrs. Theresa Ibas, was invited to speak on behalf of the First Lady. The moment her name was announced, the atmosphere shifted.
Chants erupted from the audience, saying, “We want Valerie Sim-Fubara or Remi Tinubu to address us, not the wife of an imposter! We want Sim!”
Eyewitnesses said the women were visibly angered that Senator Remi Tinubu failed to show up after they were reportedly informed she would attend in person.
Even more upsetting for them was the exclusion of the Rivers State First Lady, Lady Valerie Fubara, from the official lineup.
Despite efforts by the organisers to calm the situation, the crowd of women insisted on their demands and eventually exited the venue en masse.
Some of the women said the protest is seen as a direct rejection of the political appointee structure in Rivers State and a strong show of support for the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In an interview, one of the women, Ekpeye Favour, recounted what happened at the event, saying it was a demonstration of their support and love for the suspended governor and rejection of the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu.
As of the time of this report, neither Senator Remi Tinubu nor her media office has issued a statement in response to the dramatic protest.