The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, yesterday took a swipe at Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State when she said Port Harcourt, the state capital, has lost its attraction during the governor’s reign.

Dame Jonathan who was in the city to attend the wedding of one of the five anti-Amaechi legislators in the State House of Assembly prayed for the return of the lost glory.

“During the time of Chief Rufus Ada-George and Dr. Peter Odili as governors, everybody wanted to come to Port Harcourt, which was called the Garden City, but I pray that it will return to what it used to be, so that we and our children can be proud of Port Harcourt,” she said at the wedding reception.

The governor who was scheduled to be the guest of honour was absent at the wedding-of Mr. Evans Bipi and former Miss Rhoda Sika- although he was represented at the church by his deputy, Tele Ikuru .

Ikuru did not attend the reception having left for another function in his home town.

However, scores of prominent politicians from the state including ex-Governors Ada-George and Odili were there, as were national and state legislators with the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, playing the chief host.

The First Lady was full of praise for Wike for bringing together such an array of prominent citizens.

She said: “I grew up in Rivers State, but I have never seen a gathering of the movers and shakers of this state like this. When I say I love Wike, people do not understand. If not for him, I would not have this opportunity to be here.

“It is good to be good. Both Rivers and Bayelsa are one, because Bayelsa State was created out of the old Rivers State (on October 1, 1996) and nobody can separate the two states, but the people must come together in peace and speak with one voice. Wike has brought us together.”

Wike is currently locked in a bitter struggle with Amaechi for the soul of the PDP in the state.

He is said to be the Presidency’s favoured candidate for the 2015 governorship election in the state.

He is the chief supporter of the Obuah-led faction of the PDP in the state and enjoys the backing of the five anti-Amaechi assembly men.

The first lady’s presence in town practically shut down the city.

Security was heavy and traffic paralysed especially in and around St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Hospital Road, venue of the wedding and Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Moscow Road, where the reception took place.

Several Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), soldiers, policemen and State Security Service (SSS) operatives were deployed in strategic places.

Mrs Jonathan, a native of Rivers State, had once openly clashed with Amaechi when she scolded him for demolishing shanties in parts of the state.

It was gathered that she met last night with the anti-Amaechi lawmakers.

“During the time of Chief Rufus Ada-George and Dr. Peter Odili as governors, everybody wanted to come to Port Harcourt, which was called the Garden City, but I pray that it will return to what it used to be, so that we and our children can be proud of Port Harcourt,” she said at the wedding reception.

abu12:

The first lady was definitely missing the reign of culties and senseless killing during odili reign in rivers state

“Wike has been able to unite all of us. Wike, I remove my cap for you. We are here talking not as riverine people or upland. But we are talking here as Rivers people. People who speak in oneness and in unity”, she said.

“This is the first time I am being received by my Rivers people in almost four years of my husband’s presidency. I have been a wife of a deputy governor, governor, Vice President and now President; I have never had it so good,” she said.

She however paid a glowing tribute to the former governors of Rivers state, Chief Rufus Ada-George and Dr. Peter Odili and said during their administrations, the state witnessed an influx of people as the state still retained its ‘Garden City’ status.

She continued: “Today, I can see the Who’s Who in the state. All the people that can make this state moveable, shakeable: and when they say stand still, you stand still, and when they say move, you move; all of them are here. My people, I am very loyal and grateful.”

thelastPope: Please where did she blast Amaechi in the article? I have read and re-read it but cant find it...

Billyonaire: So many illiterates on Nairaland these days. I didnt see where the First Lady, 'blasted' Amaechi

otokx: Truth be told Port Harcourt is bigger and better with the entry of AMAECHI, she is entitled to her opinion sha but the facts speak.

Billyonaire: So many illiterates on Nairaland these days. I didnt see where the First Lady, 'blasted' Amaechi

licensed2k: Sowi to ask, huh?
Was the 1st lady's microphone on autocorrect or something?
I refuse to believe this came from her,
No usual signature of hers except tryin to play politics like a smart person and apparently which is really not her thing.
Buh, on the positive side,
Her grammar has really improved.
Nigeria is really movin 4ward.
Doxology!!!!

licensed2k: Sowi to ask, huh?
Was the 1st lady's microphone on autocorrect or something?
I refuse to believe this came from her,
No usual signature of hers except tryin to play politics like a smart person and apparently which is really not her thing.
Buh, on the positive side,
Her grammar has really improved.
Nigeria is really movin 4ward.
Doxology!!!!

licensed2k: Sowi to ask, huh?
Was the 1st lady's microphone on autocorrect or something?
I refuse to believe this came from her,
No usual signature of hers except tryin to play politics like a smart person and apparently which is really not her thing.
Buh, on the positive side,
Her grammar has really improved.
Nigeria is really movin 4ward.
Doxology!!!!

Rhino.5dm:


Yeah, Those era that we have to come down from bus and raise our hands up every now and then? I remembered walking around Mobil filling station at Rumoukrushi with my hands up for like 10 minuts. Presently, I party from dusk to down and still drive about around 2 am in PH courtesy of Ameachi.

Madam first lady, I say that prayer of yours should go back to the sender x 100.

Goddex: Now I see clearly the mischief of our media. I attended that occasion and listened to her and other guest from A - z. The woman never made mention of Ameach's. She was only delighted to have Peter Odili, Ada George and Celestine Omehia assembled together by Nyesom Wike and praised Wike profusely as a man committed to uniting the good people of Rivers state.

Goddex: Now I see clearly the mischief of our media. I attended that occasion and listened to her and other guest from A - z. The woman never made mention of Ameach's. She was only delighted to have Peter Odili, Ada George and Celestine Omehia assembled together by Nyesom Wike and praised Wike profusely as a man committed to uniting the good people of Rivers state.