Ahead of the 2015 governorship election in Rivers State, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has expressed her support for the governorship ambition of former Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, saying he is well prepared for service in a ‘higher capacity’.
Speaking when she paid a solidarity visit to Wike in his Abuja residence on Thursday, Mrs. Jonathan said she came to give him her blessings, noting that the governorship aspirant proved himself as a member of the federal executive council.
She said, “I am giving you the blessing of a mother. The blessing a mother gives to a beloved son. Go and you will conquer. He is a Minister that delivered while he served in the cabinet. Wike proved himself and is ready to serve in a higher capacity”.
The first lady further described the former minister as a listening and respectful politician, who heeded her counsel to drop his senatorial aspiration in 2011.
“You listened to me and dropped your senatorial aspiration. I pray God to protect you, lead you and please go on with your aspiration.
“I have handed you (Wike) over to our father, Dr. Peter Odili and the people of Rivers State. You are going to Rivers State for the betterment of all of us and to wipe our tears”, she stated.
After her speech, Mrs. Jonathan in a symbolic gesture, handed Wike over to a former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, who was part of her entourage.
Responding, Wike assured the first lady that the PDP would emerge victorious in all elections in Rivers come 2015.
He commended Mrs. Jonathan, herself, an indigene of Okrika in Rivers State, for serving as a mother to all Rivers people, stressing that the PDP would continue to wax stronger under her guidance.
Also speaking, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Austin Opara, said that with the support of the Mrs. Jonathan, PDP in Rivers State has gained more grounds and is ready to win in 2015.
Opara noted that leaders of Rivers PDP collectively bought governorship form for the former minister because they are united in the quest to take over from the All Progressives Congress government in the state.
Prominent Rivers indigenes at the meeting include, Senator Adewari Pepple, Evans Bipi, Chief Sergeant Awuse, former deputy speakers, Chibudom Nwuche and Chief Austin Opara; Executive Director, Finance, Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Ogiri, former commissioner of Sports, Boma Iyayi and an Ogoni political leader, Chief Kenneth Kobani.
