by Isi Esene
The First Lady, Patience Jonathan has made public her reasons for not taking time to exchange pleasantries with the Rivers State deputy Governor, Tele Ikuru, at the Port Harcourt Airport during the weekend.
She explained that the Rivers State governor refused to send a delegation to commiserate with her on the death of her foster mother who died some weeks ago in an accident despite the fact that several groups did.
Mrs. Jonathan said this in a statement released through her spokesman, Ayo Adesugba adding that she felt a need to clear the air so as not to allow “mischief makers” succeed in their plans of trying to drag her into the political intrigues currently playing out in the state.
[READ: PDP crises: Did Patience Jonathan snub Rivers deputy governor in Port Harcourt?]
She said since the wife of the state governor ordinarily receives her whenever she visits any state, that was why the wife of Bayelsa State governor came to Port Harcourt from Yenagoa to receive her.
The statement reads thus: “Our attention has been drawn to reports in some media claiming that the First Lady, Dame (Dr.) Patience Goodluck Jonathan snubbed the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, who was said to have gone to the Port Harcourt International Airport to receive her.
“The reports, by all indications, represent a contrived motive of some gladiators in the Rivers State crisis to continue to paint the First Lady as an aggressor.
“It should be clear to all that for quite some time now, the First Lady has refrained from commenting on issues relating to the Rivers State crisis while these gladiators have continued to use every media at their disposal to fan the embers of disharmony and hatred.
“It is for this reason of the intrigue at play that the First Lady would want to be left out of Rivers State crisis, hence making her visit to the state as quiet as possible, so as not to give room for mischief makers to succeed in their plans.
“Ordinarily, the wife of the state governor receives the first lady whenever she visits any state. That is why the wife of Bayelsa State Governor travelled from Yenagoa to receive the First Lady.”
“In addition, as a daughter of Rivers state, the First Lady is free to visit the state any time she desires. But we are forced to ask: why the presence of the First Lady in Rivers State always generate rumpus?
“It should be noted that while several groups and individuals from across the country came to condole the First Lady and Mr. President on the death of her mother, no official of Rivers State government deemed it fit to pay the first family condolence visit, yet they claimed the First Lady is a daughter of Rivers State.
“He who must go to equity must go with clean hands. They should learn to give respect to those who deserve respect so that they too can earn respect.”
Tell us what Gov. Amechi did that you peaple express so much hatred over him and stop beating around the bush
Abeg make we hear word!… Is her mother’s death a political issue? Its better Amaechi’s wife doesn’t go there so Patience wouldn’t give her d embarrrassment of her life bcos Mrs Jonathan is used to acting dramas… Let her go and bury her mum and forget who came and who didn’t. The Amaechi’s coming would not ressurrect her mum. Tele Ikuru who is Mr Indifferent has got himself insulted, who send am to go meet d dramatical woman?…lol
Dis woman has totally lost it, take a closer look at d men standing with her in d photograph, u can tell dey are all butt lickers, hands tucked together looking all scared like dey are in front of deir village goddess. What rubbish, since wen did it become mandatory for anyone (governor or not) to pay condolence visits? Office of 1st lady my foot, In my opinion I don’t think Amaechi has done anything unheard of, madam 1st lady needs to get over herself & realize dat not everyone enjoys bin trampled upon. Will d presence of Amaechi or his wife ressurect d deceased? Dis woman has serious problems and d idiotic sycophants surrounding her are even worse. God help Nigeria.
Dame @ it again,jst rmbr it cnt last 4 mre than 8yrs,many wre first ladies before you nd many will b afta u.
Pls some one close to the minister for state via Eduction should tell him that rivers youths NO longer need crises driven Gov asperirant, govt and above all leaders . So he should reduce hill wolf brking. And he should check his senatorial district and check the present governors own. We are not full my friend be carefull sir. Tnx
If men were Gods , rapture could hve taken place earlier before my birth Day. Jona must hve non this before she left for PH and just smiled over it, well its ok.
Its Gov.Amaechi who is giving room to all this trash taking place.If not at ur instance,Tele Ikuru would not have gone to d airport to receive yhis insult.please next time allow Patience Jonathan do her thing her own way and restrain ur officials from occasions that concerns her,for someday,we’ll remember not the words of our enemies,but the silence of our friends.
In all sincerity the first lady is not helping the matter, she suppose to be “mother of d nation” allow peace, this kind of child’s place shudn’t be found among our so calld leaders, its just like when 2 kinddergatten pupils are fighting and one said ‘I will not talk to u again’.. Menhhhh this is disgusting. We are tired of this child’s play abegiiiii
Hmmm!!! Dame again!!! Na wa Ooº°˚ ˚°ºoo