First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, yesterday declared her support for the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying that wike must succeed Rotimi Amaechi as the next governor of Rivers State.
The First Lady who is also a native of Rivers State had in a statement by her media assistant, Ayo Adewuyi, asserted that the people of the state were strongly behind Wike in an effort towards taking over the mantle of leadership from Amaechi.
Mrs. Jonathan was reacting to a recent report that claimed she was planning to install three governors in Bauchi, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
The statement partly 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 Jonathan has not withdrawn her support for Chief Wike at any time and will always work for the interest and the good of Rivers people.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.”
The First Lady also described the report that she was backing some other candidates to take over from the incumbents in Bayelsa and Bauchi states as untrue and baseless.
“Dr. Waripomowei Dudafa is not only a son to the President but his member 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,” the statement added
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