I’m Backing Wike For 2015 – Patience Jonathan

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I’m Backing Wike For 2015 – Patience Jonathan

By George Agba

— April 8, 2014

First lady Patience Jonathan has refuted a media report suggesting that she is manoeuvring politically to install three aspiring governorship candidates in Bauchi, Bayelsa and Rivers states in the 2015 general polls.
According to her, “the allegation in the story is the handiwork of those mischief makers who are bent on promoting bickering and animosity among people who have always been together working for the improvement of Rivers State, and should be discountenanced”.
In a statement issued by her media aide, Mr Ayo Adewuyi, Mrs Jonathan who described the said report as a figment of the writers’ imagination noted that she does not meddle in the affairs and selection process of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The statement made available to LEADERSHIP reads in part: “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 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 Mrs Jonathan has not withdrawn her support for Chief Wike at any time and will always work for the interest and the good of Rivers people.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.”
On her alleged plans to position some candidates to take over from the governors of Bayelsa and Bauchi states in an attempt to pit them against the governors, the statement noted: “Dr Waripomowei Dudafa is not only a son to the President but his staff and very close to the family. Dr Dudafa is not ready to quit his job to contest governorship election. Similarly, the FCT Minister has been a competent and loyal appointee of Mr President. Both of them are loyal to Mr President and their Governors.
“They are sons of the First Lady as the mother of the nation, who also has very cordial relationships with the governors in question and will never interfere in any process that will lead to the emergence of governorship candidates in the states.
“Mrs Jonathan appeals to the Governors of Bayelsa and Bauchi states to ignore the mischief makers who are bent on disrupting the peace prevailing in those states.
“The First Lady is a mother of peace who believes in the supremacy of the party and democratic principles at all levels and does not dump her friends because of politics, whether they are contesting or not. She therefore urges all Nigerians to uphold the truth at all times, and not be swayed by actions of mischief makers.”