Former First Lady Patience Jonathan calls for peace in Rivers State, urging Governor Fubara and Minister Wike to resolve their conflict. She warns against overstaying in office, shares insights from the 2015 election, and emphasizes the importance of stability for development. The ongoing crisis affects state and local governance.
Former First Lady Patience Jonathan has called for peace in Rivers State, urging Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister Nyesom Wike to resolve their ongoing political conflict. Speaking at the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations 60th anniversary colloquium, Mrs. Jonathan emphasized the importance of peace for development and governance.
The ex-First Lady addressed the recent crisis in Rivers' local government areas, warning that elected officials overstaying their constitutional terms invite anarchy. She stressed that power is transient and urged political officeholders to remember this fact.
Reflecting on her own experience, Mrs. Jonathan recounted the aftermath of the 2015 presidential election. She dispelled rumors that she had encouraged her husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan, to cling to power after losing the election. Instead, she praised his peaceful handover, which has made him a model for democracy.
Mrs. Jonathan's intervention comes at a critical time for Rivers State. As a prominent figure from the region, her call for peace carries significant weight. She emphasized that no development can occur in an atmosphere of chaos, urging the warring parties to prioritize governance over political squabbles.
The former First Lady's appeal highlights the broader implications of the Rivers conflict for Nigerian politics, particularly in the Niger Delta region. It underscores the need for political stability to ensure economic progress and effective governance at both state and local levels.
