asudan:
Abuja – The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan,
on Tuesday restated that she was not involved in the
selection of candidates vying for elective positions
on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP).
This is contained in a statement issued by her Media
Assistant, Ayo Adewuyi, in Abuja.
The statement was in reaction to a media
publication alleging that Jonathan had anointed the
Deputy Governor of Ebonyi, Chief Dave Umahi, as the
gubernatorial candidate of the party.
“It has again come to our notice that some
politicians who are desperate to score cheap political
points have connived to tarnish the image of the first
lady, Patience Faka Jonathan, by roping her into the
Ebonyi PDP crisis.
“We consider it absurd that any person will assume
that the first lady would make such a request
considering the fact that she has continued to
preach for peaceful conduct of all aspirants before,
during and after elections.”
According to the statement, this is another attempt
by mischief makers to loop their self-induced
political travails around the first lady to develop
strategy for their survival.
“Let us state once again that the first lady is not an
elected official of the state, neither is she a party
functionary. She therefore recognises very clearly her
place in the scheme of things.
“Let it be known that the first lady has no hand in
the selection of the party’s candidates in any state
and definitely not in Ebonyi.
Also read: PDP addresses divisions in Ebonyi
“If anything, she has continued the gospel of
peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of 2015
elections.’’
According to the statement, she believes the
elections can only be conducted in a peaceful
atmosphere and the aspirants must be alive to
contest and win election.
“She only preaches peace because she is a mother
of peace.
“To therefore allege that the first lady insisted that
the Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Chief Dave Umahi,
must be the gubernatorial candidate of the party
against the wish of the people and the party is to
say the least subjudice.”
The statement said that the National Working
Committee was making efforts to ensure that peace
returned to the state chapter of the party.