Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has decided to throw her weight behind the re-election bid of Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.
Engr. Mike Ogiasa, a close relative to President Goodluck Jonathan, who made the disclosure yesterday, confirmed that the reconciliation initiated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ensured Dickson and Patience Jonathan were back on good terms ahead the December 5 gubernatorial election.
The talks also has inputs from a coalition of Bayelsa Elders, including ex-Governor D.S.P Alamieyeseigha.
“As a close family member, I known her very well. Dame Patience Jonathan can suppress her anger against someone and do the right thing. As am talking to you, I believe, as a typical PDP woman, she can never support another political party against the choice of the PDP,” former Commissioner for Special Duties (Federal Project), Ogiasa said.
“In politics, there is unity in diversity. People disagree to agree. It was not a hidden fact that Governor Dickson was at loggerhead with Dame Patience Jonathan. But it is also true that, by human nature, she may not have supported Dickson. But she has weighed it and discovered that the election is beyond Dickson.
“And because she is from Bayelsa and Rivers States, she knows what it took the Rivers man to retain the PDP leadership. She cannot now because of anger allow Bayelsa to be under the APC.
“Though I don’t know who she is supporting, but I know that she can never vote the APC against the PDP. If anyone emerges above Dickson at the PDP primaries, she will support the person. And if Dickson emerges as flag bearer, I am 100 per cent sure she will support him.”
On the seeming silence of Jonathan on Dickson’s ambition, Ogiasa said: “I don’t know how to read body language. But I know that it is not only a body language but a mouth language that the President cannot support another party against the PDP. If you rely on body language to tell the thinking of Jonathan, you may misjudge him, But I know there is no way he would support APC to take over Bayelsa.
“But for who he is supporting in the PDP, we may not know. But the former President by now should have known the importance and unimportance of second term. So, Jonathan on his part, would have desired to run for second term too and complete some projects for the people of the State and the region.
“And it may also have dawned on him that it is painful not to have second tenure. Then, I don’t see him coming out to rubbish another person who wants second tenure. I don’t think a reasonable man like the President will say he cannot support Dickson.”
Meanwhile, enquiries showed that efforts to mend fences are to check the popularity of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the home state of the former President, especially after Timi Alaibe, Heineken Lokpobiri among other PDP stalwarts will many followers joined the party.
It was gathered that Mrs Jonathan directed his followers and loyalists, including the former Special Adviser to Jonathan on Domestic Matters, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafagh to support Dickson.
Dudafagh has been accused of anti-party activities, including sponsorship of some candidates of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). .
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