CONDOLENCE DRAMA: ‘Rivers Officials Ought To Have Visited Abuja, Not Port Harcourt’ – Patience Jonathan

Dame Patience Jonathan

The drama over the alleged failure of the Rivers State government officials to pay the First Family a condolence visit continues as the First Lady issued another statement, Wednesday, insisting that the state ignored her during her moment of loss.

In her second public statement in less than 72 hours, Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, reiterated that several groups and individuals from across Nigeria paid condolence visits at the State House, Abuja.


In a statement by Ayo Adesugba, Director of Information, Office of the First Lady, Mrs Jonathan said that neither the Rivers State governor, his wife nor official of Rivers Government has come to the State House, Abuja, like so many other people from all walks of life, to condole with the First Family.”

However, less than 24 hours later, photographs of Judith Amaechi, the First Lady of Rivers State, signing a condolence register at Mrs. Oba’s residence surfaced. Investigations also revealed that in addition to Tele Ikuru, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, and other state functionaries accompanying Mrs. Amaechi on the visit in Port Harcourt; Rotimi Amaechi, the State Governor, had also issued a statement commiserating with the First Lady on her bereavement.

In her statement, late Wednesday, Mrs. Jonathan said that was not enough..

Reacting to the photographs circulating in various media, the First Lady stated that they were taken in Mrs. Oba’s home, and that the she did not receive condolence guests in her late mother’s home.

“All those who paid condolences and commiserated with Dame Patience during her visit to Rivers State, came to the First Lady’s home in Port Harcourt, where arrangements were made and facilities were made available to receive sympathizers.