Contrary to her earlier denials of
involvement in the political crisis rocking Rivers State, wife of
President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, on Wednesday opened up on the
matter.
She told 16 bishops from the
South-South, who visited her at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that her
misunderstanding with Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, started
about four years ago in Anyugubiri in Okrika when she appealed to him
to engage her people in dialogue instead of demolishing a part of
their community.
Mrs. Jonathan said the governor, whom
she described as “hot tempered,” did not only ignore her advice, he
went a step further by sacking the chairman of the local government
for holding a reception in her honour.
According to her, Amaechi did not only stop at those, he imposed a curfew on the community, which is where she hails from.
She said all her pleas with the governor to lift the curfew fell on deaf ears.
Although the President’s wife told the
visiting bishops that she had since committed the Rivers crisis to
God, she decided to open up for the first time on it so that they
could pray to God to touch Amaechi’s heart.
She said, “Rivers State issue is one
thing I have committed to prayer because I believe there is nothing God
cannot do. God restored me and I will do His work without the fear of
man. The truth will always remain the truth and what God ordains must
come to pass and so Rivers issue is something we have handed over to
God.
“This matter started four years ago at
Anyugubiri in Okrika when I begged him not to demolish a part of Okrika
but that he should dialogue first with the people. After that incident,
he called the chairman of Okrika Local Government and sacked him for
holding a reception in our honour; that boy was the first victim.
“He also put my people under curfew for
nine months. I called him and pleaded with him but he refused. Then I
began to hear all sorts of propaganda in the media against me; this is
not the way.
“I have never spoken about this issue
but as men of God, I believe you will say the truth always because there
are a lot of conflicting interests; some will hear one thing and say
the exact opposite.
“I also want you to know the genesis of
this problem and pray that God touches Amaechi’s heart as per his hot
temper because when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.’’
Mrs. Jonathan urged the governor to sheathe the sword and allow peace to reign in the state.
She said as her son, she could not be fighting the governor.
She also urged the governor to avoid being used by outsiders to fight “his own blood.”
She added, “I appeal to Amaechi to
sheathe his sword so that we can defend our state and this country with
love, unity, patriotism and truth at all time.
“Hebrews 12:14 urges us to embrace peace
with all men without which, we cannot see God. Amaechi is my son, I
cannot fight him and I cannot kill him. He shouldn’t be used by
outsiders against his own blood because this seat is vanity.
“One day, no matter how long it takes,
we will leave this seat. Power is not forever. This seat is vanity,
others sat here and left, so one day I will also leave and we will meet
at home; so why should I fight him?
“Let’s take it easy and face issues.
Let’s stop magnifying lies; we must respect our leaders and people in
authority. Let’s give peace a chance.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation,
Bishop God-Do-Well Awomapara, said they decided to visit the wife of
the President to unravel the mysteries surrounding the crisis in the
state and mediate in order to find a lasting solution to it.
“Our visit is significant in view of
emerging situations in our region. We are on a quest to unravel the
mysteries surrounding the Rivers issue and mediate where necessary,” he
said.
Mrs. Jonathan’s spokesman, Mr. Ayo
Osinlu, later issued a statement in which she again called on all
those involved in the crisis to sheathe their swords and find ways to
restore peace to the state.
The statement reads in part, “Dame
Jonathan particularly appealed to Governor Amaechi to fly the olive
branch, and resist being used by outsiders against his own people.
“While giving an insight into the
genesis of the crisis in the state, she reiterated the need for the
warring factions to employ dialogue as a means of resolving the
contending issues amicably.
“The First Lady urged those who are
crying more than the bereaved to stop magnifying the misunderstanding,
while reiterating that Governor Amaechi and Mr. Nyeson Wike (Minister
of State for Education) remain her sons, brothers and kinsmen, and would
do anything to protect both of them.
Reacting, the State Commissioner for
Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said the governor
did not demolish the houses around a school in Angubiri, Okirika, as
advised by Mrs. Jonathan.
Semenitari, who recalled what happened
in Okirika when the President’s wife visited, said the school shown to
Mrs. Jonathan by the governor had no playground, adding that a
playground and other facilities could only be provided if some houses
around the school were demolished.
“The First Lady advised against it and
the governor did not demolish the houses. The school is still there
without a playground. This issue happened a long time ago. What I don’t
understand is that she still bears that in mind,” the commissioner
added.
On the allegation that Amaechi imposed a
nine-month curfew on the people of Okrika, Semenitari disagreed with
Mrs. Jonathan, saying, “Even the First Lady had said several times that
one of the achievements of the governor was that he (Amaechi) brought
peace to Okrika and that people could sleep with both eyes closed.”
On her description of Amaechi as
hot-tempered, the commissioner pointed out that she could not say
anything about it since it was the President’s wife’s personal opinion.
Semenitari, however, expressed
satisfaction with Mrs. Jonathan’s warning to those using her name to
forment trouble to desist from such act.
“What I think is good to hear is that
she has no problem with the governor (Amaechi) and that those using her
name to cause crisis will stop doing so,” the commissioner stressed.
“She expressed her commitment to
ensuring that peace returns to Rivers State soon, stating that as the
President of African First Ladies Peace Mission, her desire is to have
peace in her home base.”
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Dame, this is a right step in d right direction, i hope Ameachi also 'takes a step' to solving this crises.
ReplyDeleteStupid woman
ReplyDeleteDon't worry,the truth will gradually resurface,Dame you said before that you don't know what is happening in Rivers, now what do you what to tell the world? It is better for you to mind your boundry, because you not only first lady we ever have in this country, afterall..............
ReplyDeletelet me hold on for now.
Hypocrisy
ReplyDeleteThis is my candid advice to Amaechi. U know big men don't say I am sorry. Cleraly Patience has apologised! So PLEASE meet her halfway. Sof- pedal now. SETTLE and God will bless u. Thank u.
ReplyDeleteYes u are right. No one is above mistake. But their Godlessness won't let them hear
DeleteLets all work for peace. I advise governor Ameachi and his information aide to learn to keep quite at times. They must not react every issue. The coming and timing of the 4 Northern was wroung. It heated already situation.Ameachi learn to. Keep quitef from now .it will help. You are surpose to be the in the state.
ReplyDeleteAmeachi and Commissioner of information.talkless a least for now.w
ReplyDeleteAcn, Apc , Politicians, do not play politics with Rivers Issue.God will Judge you. Even PDP. Know innocent lives are Involved.
ReplyDeleteWhose first lady? What is the meaning of when 'we' leave the seat? Who and who? How many people voted for her? 'Respect those in authority' who is in authority? The governor or the president wife? If she said before now that she has nothing to do with rivers state crises how come now she want to see olive branch raised in her direction? Whose responsibility is to make decision for a state? How old is the president wife? And what is the age of the governor? If she is in yenegoa working as a civil servant will she be directing bayelsa state governor on decisions about the state? Nigeria is not anybody's extension of room and parlour ooo... Odun Tutu
ReplyDeleteAnonymous july 18 at 8:28 am
ReplyDeleteYou don't want people to insult First lady, but what did you do to Gov Amechi in you comment? pls learn how to talk to the public.
This woman is very stupid 4 calling a state governor her son. How old is she? Does she know at all that her position or office in the country is unconstitutional?
ReplyDeleteThis Jonathan govt.thr is no truth any whr around him.lets hear frm their spoke men they av being denying their involvement in the whole crises the first lady has told the world the cause of the problem in Rivers state.Im sure we await another cook story.
ReplyDeleteHon.Ameachi, you are surpose to be the leader of the state.Talkless now . Seek for peace. Talk also to your followers. Also to all others party.APC,PDP,ACN. They all seeking their interest.be wise Gov. Ameachi. Future is still there.
ReplyDeleteMadam Patience you are naïve and has demonstrated lack of tactical depth in politics. Please ma'am with due respect, curtailing your utterances and involvement in governance and politics would save your hubby some avoidable embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteFirst Lady keep quiet. The last time you said you were not ill, then you came back for thanksgiving. You lied that you don't have anything against Amaechi, now you are saying it started 4 yrs ago! Madam why are you always lying?
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is the only solution to peace. Peace brings everything good. So for goodness sake, let's stop counting rights and wrongs and embrace peace. Let's live like people who know God
ReplyDeleteI have said it before, Jonathan is to be blamed for not being able to control his wife or for letting his wife continuously embarass him in public. Recall that what Dame Patience is refering to was when She snatched microphone from Governor Amaechi sometimes ago. Now why does She think the governor will lift curfew from a security hotbed simply becos she said so? It is the governors's responsibility to take all necessary steps to ensure security in the state including the first lady's village. Anyway, the truth is finally coming out, it is so obvious that the first lady lack good advisers that is why after denying that she has no hands in the crisis, she turns around to say why she is fighting the governor. Her excesses need to be curtailed and it is the responsibility of no one other than her husband, if not, she will destroy him.
ReplyDeleteDs is serious,d first lady keeping some1 in mind since 4 yrs ago,wat if she has died,wat wil she tel God?.May God give us the spirit 2 4give n 4get those who offend us.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Goodluck, you are carrying grudges over issues that happened years ago and yet you call yourself a christian. leave Our Governor alone, if you happens to be in his position you will do worst than him so mind your business.
ReplyDeleteHA! These our MUMU "MEN OF GOD" wetin concern a "BELIEVER" with the "WORLD"? Una go ABUJA to COLLECT una SHARE ABI?
ReplyDeleteWell, I no BLAME una afterall MADAM P dey look 4 AUDIENCE. B4 she say "I no get HAND 4 RIVERS PROBLEM" now "My PROBLEM with ROTIMI started 4yrs AGO" HABA! Yet some GREEDY "BISHOPS" go SEE this LIE LIE MANNERLESS MOTHER of NIGERIAN WOMEN.
NAIJA! I LIKE this MUMU COUNTRY WELL WELL.
EL-MATOSKY
U this guy av been watching ur coment on nigerianeye if care is not taking the anger of God will come upon you...why are u so foolish calling a man of God mumu pastor u think u can escape what u use that ur dirty mouth talk...waite and see....you said mumu country where ur father and ur mother born u dey there dey eat and drink why cant u go to other country....some people are trying to settle the nemies on ground u are saying anoder thing na wa for u o.....if not bcs of some useless elders who dont know how to settle matter u have the gods to talk ....u can be in any position tmorow what u do to ur men will surely be done to u....ELMATOKS bewarned
ReplyDeletehow do you want the country to move forward, when the president and the wife are liers. I think it is only God that can save this nation. Jonathan dont dare have it in mind that you will rule this nation again.
ReplyDeleteWhen Wole Soyinka accused the first lady of being responsible for the crises in Rivers state,everyone said all sorts of trash. Now don,'t u all think he has been vindicated. In the history of first ladies in this country,none have actually involved herself in the affairs of the Nation like Patience. I think the Senate & d House of Rep.should bring up laws that would help make our first Ladies operate within limits. They must be made to understand that the position of a first lady is purely honorary & does not have any constitutional authority over duely elected officers even when they are operating in error. Our constitution has clauses that should check the excesses & inadequacies of our elected leaders, except we intend to encourage 'anarchy'.
ReplyDelete