First Lady Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on Monday said she was solidly behind and going to ensure the current Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, takes over from Mr. Rotimi Amaechi as Governor of Rivers State come 2015.
She said this in a statement released by her media assistant, Ayo Adewuyi, where she also said the people of the state were behind Wike and were prepared to follow him.
She also describe Wike’s governorship ambition as a fait accompli.
Her statement was in reaction to a news report which said that she was planning to install three governors in Bauchi, Bayelsa and Rivers states in 2015.
The statement party 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 Jonathan has not withdrawn her support for Chief Wike at any time and will always work for the interest and the good of Rivers people.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.”
While also reacting to the report of her alleged intention to install governors in Bayelsa and Bauchi, she said “Dr. Waripomowei Dudafa is not only a son to the President but his members of 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.”
Source: Naijaobserver 