by Akan Ido
First Lady, Patience Jonathan has come all out to throw her support behind Nyesom Wike, the Supervising Minister of Education.
Mrs. Jonathan opened up her veiled support in a press release issued on Monday stating that she was solidly behind Wike who was Rivers Governor, Rotimi Amaechi’s Chief of Staff.
Wike had a political fall out with Amaechi when the latter’s relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan hit a bumpy road.
Mrs. Jonathan’s statement partly reads, “While we consider this a figment of the imagination of the writers of the spurious story, it is also expedient to state clearly that the First Lady does not meddle in the affairs and selection process of the ruling party, the PDP.
“Consequently, there is no way she can dictate or install anybody into political offices.
“In the case of Rivers State, the First Lady wishes to state categorically that the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, is the leader of PDP in Rivers State and he enjoys the followership of the people of the state. The First Lady is solidly behind Chief Wike.
“The people of Rivers State are also solidly behind Chief Wike and are prepared to follow him.
“It is therefore mischievous to insinuate that Mrs. Jonathan is working to ensure that the governorship candidate comes from one of the riverine areas of Rivers State which may not be where the people are going.
“It is also imperative to state that the First Lady is always with the people and will continue to go with the wish and expectations of the people.
“Mrs. Jonathan has not withdrawn her support for Chief Wike at any time and will always work for the interest and the good of Rivers people. As far as the First Lady is concerned, there is no shaking in Rivers State.”
Wike, who is gunning for Amaechi’s position when the governor leaves in 2015 has left no one in doubt as to his ambition and desire to lead the people of Rivers.
The First Lady claimed that the people of Rivers State are also behind Wike who has been accused of not doing enough to address the plight of Polytechnic students languishing at home due to ASUP strike which has dragged on for close to a year.
She described the report that she had abandoned Wike as the handiwork of those she called mischiefmakers, who were bent on promoting bickering and animosity among the people who had always been together working for the improvement of Rivers State. She said the report should be discountenanced.
