RIVERS WOMEN WALK OUT ON ADMINISTRATOR’S WIFE AT EVENT
Political tension in Rivers State deepened on Friday May 2nd, as hundreds of women walked out on Dr. Theresa Ibas, wife of the state administrator, during a presidential empowerment programme hosted by Senator Remi Tinubu. The event, held at the EUI Centre in Port Harcourt, was part of the Renewed Hope Empowerment Programme targeting 500 women with business tools and cash grants. The women disrupted proceedings when Ibas began her speech, chanting, “We want Sim, give us Sim, we want Valery, we want Remi Tinubu to speak to us.”
Their protest stemmed from their refusal to recognize Ibas as First Lady of Rivers State, insisting that only Mrs. Valerie Fubara, wife of embattled Governor Siminalayi Fubara, held that title. Last year’s edition of the same programme had been coordinated by Valerie Fubara. Women at the event told journalists they had been prepared to welcome Remi Tinubu and were shocked to see Ibas assume the stage.
One protester, Ekpeye Favour, stated, “We have a governor. We love our governor. We support our governor. We have a First Lady. And we are just saying one governor at a time.” The walkout underscored the ongoing legitimacy crisis following the appointment of a federal administrator to govern Rivers State amid an unresolved power tussle.
Despite the disruption, officials proceeded with the programme. According to a statement from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the initiative—now completed in the South-South region—aims to economically empower women and align with the UN’s SDG goals for gender equality and decent work. Federal and state coordinators urged beneficiaries to maximize the tools provided to lift themselves out of poverty and contribute to national development.
