The Rivers Professional Women League (RPWL) has dismissed claims by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike that their recent action during a presidential empowerment event was a deliberate snub of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

On Friday, the women staged a walkout at the Renewed Hope Initiative programme in Port Harcourt after discovering that the First Lady was not represented by Fatima Abass, wife of the House of Reps Speaker, as earlier communicated, but by Dr. Theresa Ibas, wife of the NDDC sole administrator.

Wike had described the protest as “a show of shame” and accused the women of disrespecting the presidency. “All those shenanigans won’t bring peace,” he said in a statement.

“We apologize to our First Lady for the embarrassing conduct of those few women who do not represent the ideals of Rivers people.”

But in a swift rebuttal signed by RPWL President Nimi Fiberisima, Secretary Jennifer Boms Wolugbom, and Publicity Director Tambari Menete, the women described Wike’s remarks as “a spin to soothe his purpose.”

“It is apparent that Rivers women did not and cannot walk out on the First Lady of Nigeria… Such a narrative is the imaginative spinning of Chief Nyesom Wike to blackmail Rivers people, as always,” the statement read.

The group said the women mobilised based on the understanding that the First Lady would be represented by Mrs. Fatima Abass. “Unfortunately, as they gathered in expectation, they were shocked to see Mrs. Theresa Ibas, which in itself was improper,” they said.

Defending their action as organic and peaceful, the RPWL stated, “We are miffed by this constant unnecessary hitting up of Rivers’ polity… The women are just organic supporters who do not want to be taken for a ride.”

The statement also urged caution in political commentary, warning that “a tree does not make a forest” and “time will certainly tell.”