BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – The Rivers State Women Association of Nigeria (RIVSWAN) has condemned what it described as an “unwarranted and malicious attack” by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against former First Lady of Rivers State, Dame Judith Amaechi.
The group was reacting to recent allegations by the FCT Minister on a national television programme, where he claimed Dame Amaechi was paid ₦4 billion monthly by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to train Niger Delta women.
In a strongly worded statement, signed by its acting President, Ichechi Welendu, RIVSWAN described Wike’s claims as “baseless falsehoods driven by bitterness, ignorance, and a worrying lack of self-restraint.”
Accordingly, RIVSWAN urged the general public to disregard what it termed “a concocted story fueled by personal vendetta and misinformation.”
The statement said; “The entire allegation is not only laughable but an embarrassment to public discourse
“It reflects either a gross misunderstanding of the NDDC’s budgetary structure or a deliberate effort to smear the name of a respected woman of substance.”
While commending Dame Judith Amaechi’s legacy, the group cited her philanthropic work through the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that has reportedly supported girl-child education and women’s empowerment across the region.
Additionally, RIVSWAN said the former First Lady had spent her resources to uplift women in the Niger Delta and should not be subjected to public ridicule based on unfounded accusations.
This is as the group described Wike’s remarks on live television as a “slap on the face of Rivers women” and a “disgraceful abuse of national platforms.”
Challenging the FCT Minister to publicly present documents backing his claims or withdraw the statement, RIVSWAN said; “Dame Judith Amaechi is a moral compass, a gospel preacher, and a champion of good governance.
“Her support for her husband, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, during his era of infrastructural transformation is well documented.”
Warning that failure by Wike to back up his allegations with proofs could lead to “legitimate actions, including peaceful protests across Rivers State”, the group urged President Bola Tinubu to caution the Minister, because his “unguided utterances are unbecoming of a federal cabinet member.”
The women, who reaffirmed their support for Dame Judith Amaechi, described her as a “pillar of progress and a matriarch of the Rivers women’s movement.”
“Her contributions helped restore Rivers State to its cherished status as the Garden City. We stand with her”, the women said
