Dame Patience, Our President’s Darling Wife – Opinion By Reuben Abati in 2010
Patience Jonathan


DEMOCRACY is readily associated with freedom: the freedom to be free in many respects and increasingly in Nigeria, many of our compatriots, particularly persons in positions of privilege and authority confuse this with the right to be disagreeable. The sober truth is that democracy is about rights and responsibilities, a democratic dispensation therefore cannot be a licence for disagreeable conduct as a norm; just as the possession of power in any form does not guarantee the right to be reckless or to ignore the etiquette required of office holders. Anyone in the corridors of power, either by chance or right, or appointment, is expected to behave decorously.

Dame Patience Jonathan, as she is now referred to, our President’s wife, failed the test this week in Okrika, Rivers State. It is trite knowledge that there is a critical difference between Yenagoa and Abuja, and a world of difference between being the wife of a Deputy Governor/Governor/Vice president and being the wife of Nigeria’s No 1 citizen. When people suddenly find themselves in such latter position, prepared or unprepared, anywhere in the world, they are taken through a crash programme in finishing and poise and made to realize that being the wife of an important man comes with serious responsibilities lest they sabotage the same person that they should be supporting.

If Dame Patience went through such re-orientation, the course was incomplete. This week, we got a feedback drawn from her visit to Rivers state to launch her NGO – the Women for Change Initiative, when she ended up in Okrika, her home town. This homecoming became an egoistic show-off as she openly contradicted the state Governor, offering him unsolicited lessons on how to develop the Okrika water front and school system, in addition to pointed comments on the use of the English language. The Governor had reportedly insisted that his administration must demolish some houses which adjoin the schools in Okrika in order to create a proper learning environment. Dame Patience disagreed.

She then gave an unsolicited lecture on the land tenure system telling the Governor: “I want you to get me clear. I am from here. I know the problems of my people so I know what I am talking…” The Governor tried to explain his administration’s policy and the larger public interest. The Dame reportedly cut him short: “But what I am telling you is that you always say you must demolish; that word must you use is not good. It is by pleading. You appeal to the owners of the compound because they will not go into exile. Land is a serious issue.” Wao! “that word must..is not good.” We must all commit that to memory as we re-learn Practical English according to Patience Jonathan!

If it is in the place of the President’s wife to teach a state Governor how to run his state, it is definitely not in her place to veto a state policy (the reason the governor used the word “must”), not even her husband has such powers. It seemed as if Dame Patience Jonathan was determined to impress her kith and kin. She told them she had directed the governor not to demolish their houses. Then, she left straight for the airport obviously having overstayed her welcome and having behaved like a bad guest. She was scheduled to visit the prisons to grant amnesty to some inmates (is that really her duty or something that should be in her itinerary? ); she was also meant to commission some projects. The face-off between her and the governor put paid to all that.

On the eve of her arrival, a group which calls itself “the Okrika Political Stakeholders Forum” and “the people of Kirikese” had actually placed an advert in the papers welcoming “our amiable daughter and sister…to Rivers state and your home town Okrika.” They also brought up the issue of “the land reclamation and shore protection project at Oba Ama, Okrika being undertaken by the Rivers state government.” (Daily Sun, August 23, 2010, p. 2). Either on the strength of this advertorial or private consultations, Dame Patience must have felt compelled to be a partisan stakeholder and intercessor. She needed to put Rotimi Amaechi, the state Governor in his place and that was what did. She recommended “pleading,” – that advice is actually meant for her. A state Governor is a duly elected official; and in a Federal system, he is not answerable to the President, and nowhere is the president granted the powers of a Headmaster over state governors. In Okrika, Dame Patience behaved so impatiently and spoke to Governor Amaechi as if he is on the staff of the Presidency. It may not be her fault though. Amaechi caused it all by bringing himself to such level by undertaking to debrief Dame Patience about his administration’s programmes and activities in the misguided hope of getting cheap political endorsement. He should have asked his wife to attend to her. On the issue of land, Dame Patience should be reminded that the Land Use Act, Section 1 thereof, says the state Governor holds the land in trust for the people. Land matters in the state are beyond the ken of the wife of the President!

The wife of the President of Nigeria, or a state Governor, or a local council chairman, is not a state official. The same applies to husbands if the gender is reversed. He or she is unknown to the constitution or the governance structure. Recent history has however made it a convention to have the spouses of persons in such positions under the guise of providing support, play some ceremonial roles. This has been routinely abused. Under the Jonathan presidency, Dame Patience Jonathan even got a special allocation in the original budget for the 2010 Golden jubilee anniversary whereas she has no official, financial reporting responsibilities! The international standard is that spouses in these circumstances must not only appear but be seen to be above board like Caesar’s wife. They must not misbehave like Marie Antoinette.

When Cherie Blair, wife of former British PM, Tony Blair started buying up houses, apartments and antique furniture, the public raised questions. It didn’t matter that she was a professional in her own right, a Queen’s Counsel with a traceable source of income. There were also questions about the scope of Hillary Clinton’s influence during her husband’s Presidency: Americans wanted to be sure that it was the man they elected that was in charge, not his wife. A couple of weeks ago, the American public was up in arms against Michelle Obama and her poll rating dropped drastically after a visit to Spain where she and her daughter reportedly stayed in a $7, 000 a night hotel.

Much earlier, Nancy Reagan was also the butt of public criticism, with people asking: who is she? And this is not a female thing. In Britain, Prince Phillip, the Queen’s husband, is constantly criticized for putting his foot in his mouth. He once said for example that “British women can’t cook.” He told a visiting Nigerian President, all dressed up in babariga (name withheld): “you look like you’re ready for bed.” During a state visit to China, he told British students: “if you stay much longer, you’all be slitty-eyed.” Prince Phillip’s supporters insist that he is honest, but the majority ask: how is the Queen coping with such a man who is perpetually saying something offensive? There may be persons who defend Dame Patience’s aggressive style, but some of us ask: how is the President coping?

Since Dr Jonathan assumed office, he and his wife have been practically on the road. The Dame has travelled from one state to the other, under the auspices of the Women for Change Initiative. In every state she tells the women to vote and “make sure your vote counts if you like my husband.” Is she now a partisan politician? The Jonathans must be told that Nigeria does not have a co-Presidency. We have only one president and his name is Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. And by the way, what does Dame Patience Jonathan do for a living? She obviously does not have to deal with the challenges of rotation and zoning in her home, unlike the three wives of the Adamawa Governor, Murtala Nyako for whom zoning and rotation have become topical subjects or the wives of South African President Jacob Zuma – that is why she can afford to be so meddlesome!

When she misbehaves as she did in Okrika, she creates the impression that her husband is not in control of his own home. First ladies are prominent figures but their conduct is an eternal subject of public interest. In Nigeria, there was Victoria Gowon, there was also Ajoke Muhammed: dignified and restrained. There was Maryam Babangida – she was influential but no one could accuse her of verbal recklessness; Mrs Abdusalami Abubakar was a court judge, totally self-effacing, No major social party was complete without Mrs Stella Obasanjo, yet she controlled her tongue. Mrs Turai Yar’Adua was described as the power behind the throne and she proved that during the period of her husband’s illness but she was carefully reticent. At the state level, there was Remi Tinubu in Lagos state and Onari Duke in Cross River state who have both conducted themselves responsibly in and out of office. The new First Lady likes to travel, party, and talk outside the script. People are beginning to learn to read her lips in order to understand her husband. Dame Patience must not push her Goodluck.

-This piece was written by Dr. Reuben Abati in The Guardian of Thursday, 27th Aug 2010

i hate those guys

D pishure no give me any "kick".

I dey laugh all of UNA

kreami diva:

oluking! Kai Smh

i don dey take style gree your on ooo...

Effwazobia:

Another blackas- looser that feels the need to insult and bring down someone to enable him feel good about himself. You people on the nairaland are worst than the racist folks on yahoo comment section. If she ain't married, how da fu-k is that your business? How the heck do you know that she is not happy? Who said that it is a must than one must be married. Abeg mind your business or at the least do not insult the lady

GBAM!!!

jaydude:

And what have u achieved @ ur miserable age? Ugly tin!

sista e don do so....the guy don dey cry since morning

Biggyd2: Hahahaha! LWKMD. Children plenty here, I swear. What is her sin again? She is Single and 38! People are just here voking any how because she has refused to live her life according to una dictates abi? Make una continue, una hear. Just continue sniffing her age and her backside whilst she continues to be light years ahead of you in every aspect(AGE,FINANCE, FAME etc). She worked hard to be where she is today and owes no one any apology for what her marital status is.

A word of advice though, why don't you people transfer this your anger to the "married" agbayas in government who have sworn to keep this generation in perpetual poverty!

nice one..

phemi01:

I have told u u'll have a better understanding when u are grown. I have disrespected ladies because I said a lady needs to get married so she doesn't bcom lonely and feels abandoned in old age. Mayb ur mother should have remained single and shouldn't have given birth to a sissy.

i will not reduce myself to your level by responding to you.You are sick,I pray you get well soon.

chitoria: Marriage is not by force.aleast she is single and happy when the time comes she will get married.HBD RIta

Sister you couldnt have said it better..

Debbielicious!!:

you well?

sista lighted up na no vex

phemi01:

U still acting like a bushman. U aren't making a proper use of ur broad mind.
YES I have really lost hypocrisy and foolishness.

Ppl lyk u will come out to deceive ppl to do wat u wouldn't wish for any of ur loved ones.

Don't worry. The more u grow, the more u learn more about life. U are still growing and u will learn.

Kai i have never seen this level of dementia i feel really sorry for you.Please understand its not a matter of not wishing somebody well. You disrespect ladies because they are yet to be married , most of them if not all of them know what they want,appreciate ladies how they are.....

Debbielicious!!:
Make una dey dr dy drink paracetamol 4 anoda prsn headache. She marry,she no marry...aw e take affect una lyf. Mttchewww....btw..@op..hbd rita

sista na true u talk sha ....are u available

Bandit C.:


God punish you well well and all those that liked and will like your comment. Is she supposed to marry herself or has she ever reckoned with you that she is searching for one.

She is 38, yeah but most likely more successful and fulfilled that you butt scratchers.

Your are disgusting with your vile.

Get lost and get a life you little, vile piece of s**t.

bros no mind them jare

phemi01:

Both of u need to use ur heads. There isn't anyone judging here. Telling a lady to get married @ 38 years has bcom judgment? The truth is bitter and its hitting both of u hard. I suspect both of have no hope of ever getting loved. Ur rantings are signs of neglect, loneliness and serious bitterness.

Now i know you have really lost it,learn this Mr JUDGE-MENTAL.People i have a right to live their lives and bitter truth is that you are a very narrow minded person.

Haryoryhemie:


If wishes were horses................

i wish i get 2 know you

obi123:

exactly , they are so quick to judge others but end of being miserable old married people, this life is too short , happiness comes in diff forms , if its being single , then i think we should embrace it, if its being married , embrace that one too. JUST BE HAPPY, if you die today your marital status wont assure heaven or hell nor will it change the price of garri at oyingbo

bros u talk am well jare...

phemi01:

Are u a bushman? A simple and honest advice hurts u so much. Think like a king and not a slave. OluSLAVE.

i don't need to exchange words with you,its obvious you need to grow up or probably you need help from somebody

phemi01:


She needs to get married so that she won't be abandoned and lonely when she's old.

Have u evaluated your life? People like you end up living miserable

why post lies here now.

so?

longevity1:

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Abeg run away from this guy....a have been a victim from people like this.They will prepare posted dated cheques and you will not hear from them again.

ok

Have nothing to say here...AM OUT

Happy Birthday Day.....My Favorite Nollywood Act..

scientology: Seun Osewa CEO nairalnad is the biggest cause of thr tontoletics nuisance....he keeps promoting her...and i wonder why?

i for tell you.but seun go vex

Like a friend of my would say "shioo obo ti oo dun"

xynerise: ULCER IS REAL!!

u get ulcer?

p.josh:
WAT OF ADIYE, oh!! sorry i mean ideye.

The guy suppose dey sell coffin

Frostyzone: Where is Okocha, Kanu and Sunday Oliseh? The list is a joke without this 3 people, especially Oliseh that scored the cup winning goal against Cameroon at the just concluded 2013 nations cup.

ABEG head to Yaba Left quickly....