Fubara Slams Wike’s Accusation Over Walkout at First Lady’s Event, Calls It “Illogical”

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has pushed back strongly against recent accusations by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who alleged that Fubara orchestrated a walkout on First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu during an empowerment program in Port Harcourt.

Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, had condemned the walkout as “embarrassing” and “disturbing,” blaming it on Fubara’s influence and offering a public apology to President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady. He further urged Fubara to be forthright in his dealings with the President and to stop sending “mixed signals.”

In response, Fubara labeled Wike’s claims as “illogical,” asserting that the accusations were an attempt to politicize a non-political event. According to THISDAYLIVE, Fubara described the remarks from Wike’s camp as a “calculated move to cause mischief,” stressing that he had no involvement in the disruption.

“The attention of the Rivers State Office of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has been drawn to a regrettable and misleading statement… which unjustly attempts to drag the name of the Governor… into an unfortunate narrative,” Fubara’s office said in a formal statement.

The incident in question occurred during the Renewed Hope Initiative/SDG Empowerment Programme at the EUI Event Centre, where some women—among them sacked local government vice chairpersons—abruptly walked out during a speech by Mrs. Theresa Ibas, the wife of the Rivers State Administrator. Fubara’s office clarified that the disruption happened because attendees did not recognize Mrs. Ibas as their First Lady and protested her presence.

“To insinuate that Governor Fubara would sabotage a programme he actively supported and funded is not only illogical but patently false,” the statement continued. “Such claims by Mr. Lere Olayinka are deeply misleading and appear to be a calculated attempt to politicize a well-meaning, non-partisan event.”

The incident adds fuel to the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor Wike, deepening political tensions in Rivers State as the country approaches Democracy Day on May 29.