Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, has scored gov Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State low in terms of performance, describing Port Harcourt as having lost its garden city status since Amaechi assumed office as governor of the state. “I know that during the time of Chief Rufus Ada George and Dr. Peter Odili as governors of Rivers State, everybody wanted to come to Port Harcourt, which was called 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 it.” Dame Jonathan said. She lauded the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, for uniting the politics of Rivers State.
Mrs Jonathan made the statement in Port Harcourt during the wedding of a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Evans Bipi and former Miss Rhoda Sika.
The President’s wife, who was the mother of the day at the event, said Wike had made it possible for various groups in the state to unite.
She pointed out that her presence and that of former governors of the state at the event was the handiwork of the minister.
The First Lady, however, urged Rivers people and the South-South to be united to move the zone forward.
She described Rivers State and Bayelsa as one, expressing happiness that it was the first time she was honoured in such a gorgeous manner since her husband became Vice-President and President respectively.
“I grew up in Rivers State, but I have never seen a gathering of the movers and shakers of this state in this way. When I say I love Wike, people don’t 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 was created out of the old Rivers State 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 and let us thank him and I doff my hat for him and I thank Rivers people too,” she added.
While responding, the groom, Hon Bipi thanked God for making the day possible, the First Lady for being a pillar to him, politically and otherwise. He also thanked governor Amaechi for allowing him use the Civic Centre, venue of the wedding reception and thanked all the guests that graced the occasion. The solemnization ceremony was earlier done at the St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt. Dignitaries at the event included former governors of the state, Dr. Peter Odili, Chief Rufus Ada George and Sir Celestine Omehia, as well as Dr Abiye Sekibo ,former ACN governorship candidate in the State and Hon Austin Opara, former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, among others
Governor, Amaechi and his wife, were conspicuously absent at the event.
