[VIDEO] Rivers Women Protest, Walk Out Of Renewed Hope Event — “Only Lady Fubara Is Our First Lady,” Reject Sole Administrator’s Wife

Mild drama unfolded on Thursday at the EUI Event Centre in GRA, Port Harcourt, as hundreds of Rivers women staged a walkout in protest during the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Empowerment Programme.

The protest erupted shortly after Mrs. Theresa Ibas, wife of the state’s Sole Administrator, stepped forward to address the audience. The women, chanting slogans like “Only Lady Fubara is our First Lady!” and “No to imposition!”, stood up in unison and exited the venue in defiance.

The aggrieved participants insisted that Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, wife of the sitting governor, is the only legitimate First Lady of Rivers State, and they would not recognize any other.

“We came here expecting to see the First Lady of Nigeria, or at least the wife of our Governor. But instead, they brought someone who does not represent us,” a protesting woman told journalists outside the venue.

The event, organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative linked to the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria, was intended to empower 500 women across the state. However, it took a controversial turn when Mrs. Ibas was invited to speak on behalf of Senator Remi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, who was absent from the programme.

According to eyewitnesses, the atmosphere in the hall became tense the moment Mrs. Ibas’ name was announced. Many of the women, who had been reportedly informed that Senator Tinubu would attend in person, were already displeased by her absence. The exclusion of Lady Valerie Fubara from the programme’s official lineup further infuriated them.

“We consider it a deliberate slight and disrespect to our First Lady. You cannot host an empowerment programme in Rivers State and sideline the Governor’s wife. That is unacceptable,” another woman said.

The walkout is the latest flashpoint in the political tension gripping Rivers State, following an ongoing rift between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike, whose loyalists reportedly back the Sole Administrator.

Efforts by event organisers and security officials to calm the situation were only partially effective, as many of the protesting women refused to return to the venue until Lady Fubara was officially acknowledged.