Drama as Tinubu’s minister disrupts Abuja event, orders arrest, video goes viral

On August 8, 2024, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, disrupted an event in Abuja, accusing the organizers of falsely representing her ministry.

She called for their arrest, citing President Tinubu’s displeasure with the impersonation. The incident gained widespread attention on news outlets and social media, with videos circulating online.

In a video shared by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), the minister claimed the event, titled “Unveiling the Power of Women and Food Security,” was held without her ministry’s approval, as reported by Daily Trust.

According to the video, the minister was seen addressing bewildered attendees and apparently referring to the event organisers, stating: “That makes it a fraud. So that’s why I’m standing here to explain this to everyone. She has been arrested. She should have reorganise herself, used her name to make the invitation, and used her name to do this, not to use the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.”

As reported by Leadership on Thursday, August 8, Kennedy-Ohanenye decisively halted the proceedings, declaring, “I can’t allow this program to continue. I’m sorry about it.”*