Probe threat against Mrs Jonathan–TAN

The leadership of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria
(TAN) has urged security agencies to investigate the threat
against the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan.
A group, Bayelsa Youth Vanguard, had asked Mrs Jonathan to
stay away from the presidential rally in Yenagoa, the state
capital, slated for February 5 if she does not retrace her steps
of allegedly ganging up against Governor Henry Seriake
Dickson.
According to TAN, since the alleged cold war between the
governor and the First Lady, more groups in the state have
become emboldened to disrespect the President’s wife.
In a statement issued by TAN’s Director of Publicity, Chief
Nathan Egba- Ologo, the investigation of the group and those
behind it would stop others that might want to disrespect the
First Lady.
Despite the explanation by the Chief Press Secretary, to the
governor, Mr Daniel Iworiso- Markson that the sack of some
political appointees was purely done to strengthen the
machinery of government, TAN believes it has political
undertones
The statement reads in part, “while we strongly condemn the
threat by the group, the statement by the group is
unwarranted. TAN believes that such probe will not only
expose those behind the shameful act, but will also serve to
deter others who might want to toe the same line. We have
noticed that since the alleged cold war between the state
government and the First Lady,became a topic for public
discourse, more individuals and groups in the state have
become emboldened to make statements that are clearly
disrespectful to the office and person of the First Lady, the
recent sack from the state Executive Council of associates of
the First Lady such as the former Commissioner for Local
Government, Mrs. Marie Ebikake and the former Special
Adviser to the Governor on Federal Projects, Chief Remi Kuku,
who is also the Deputy National Co-ordinator of the First
Lady’s NGO, Women For Change Initiative, did not help
matters.
“In addition to the above, the TAN state’s Director of
Logistics, Chief Abel Ebifemowei, has been removed as
Chairman of the State Environmental Sanitation Authority, as
well as a top civil servant, Mrs. Irene Digitemie, who has also
been recommended for compulsory retirement for allegedly
associating with the Women for Change Initiative. In spite of
the foregoing, TAN would like to appeal to the First Lady to
accept this indiscretion as part of the price for leadership and
forgive all those who may be found culpable, as the mother of
Nigerians.”