I am not in Rivers state to rig the governorship election - Dame Patience Jonathan

First Lady Mrs Patience Jonathan has refuted claims by Governor Rotimi Amaechi that she is in Rivers state to strategize on how to use the Resident Electoral Commission and the security apparatus in the state to rig the governorship election in favor of Mr Nyesom Wike, the state PDP governorship candidate. The First Lady, who arrived Rivers state on Wednesday April 8th, has refuted allegations by Amaechi in a statement released by Director of Information in her office, Ihuoma Priscilla yesterday April 10th. See it after the cut...

"The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has dismissed the allegation that she was pressurising the Independent National Electoral Commission (and the Security Agencies to rig tomorrow’s (April 11, 2015) elections in Rivers State. As an apostle of peace and non-violent elections, the First Lady distances herself from any alleged actions that could hinder successful elections in Nigeria, especially in her home state, Rivers State. She countered the insinuations that she was in her home town, Okrika for the purpose of the governorship election, pointing out that she registered in her husband, President Jonathan’s village, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The First Lady, a highly respected indigene of Okrika in Rivers State visited her home town on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 to a tumultuous welcome by her kinsmen and women who thronged the streets to welcome and appreciate her wonderful support to her husband, the President and for bringing development to Okrikaland.”