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| Nigeria First Lady, Dame Patience Faka Jonathan |
For the first time, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, gave an indication that she might be behind the crisis rocking Rivers State at the moment as she opened up on a plethora of grudges she is nursing against the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.
Mrs. Jonathan spoke in Abuja on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa by 16 bishops from the South-South geo-political zone.
She said that the crisis in the state started four years ago and urged that there was need for prayers for the state.
She said, “Rivers state issue is one thing I’ve committed to prayer because I believe there is nothing God cannot do. God restored me and I’ll 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’ve handed over to God.’’
Nevertheless, she said she had always mediated between the governor and other parties in a crisis that she said began four years ago.
According to her, “This matter started as far back as 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 on curfew for nine months. I called him and pleaded with him but he refused. Then I began to hear all sort of propaganda in the media against me; this is not the way.
“I’ve never spoken about this issue but as men of God, I believe you’ll 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.
“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’ll also leave, and we will meet at home; so why should I fight him?
“Let’s calm down, face issues, leave non-existent matters, stop magnifying lies and respect our leaders and people in authority. Let’s give peace a chance.”
Before she spoke, the leader of the delegation, Bishop God-Do-Well Awomapara, Chairman, Niger Delta Bishops Forum, said “We are on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Rivers issue and mediate where necessary.’’
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