Patience Jonathan's first lady from February 2010 to May 29, 2015, when her husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan, lost the presidential election. Like its predecessor, it has launched a project pet; "Women for Change Initiative '. The focus of the project was to champion the cause of women and girls, gender equality and affirmative action.
But it is still the most controversial first lady because of her openness and perceived lack of sophistication. However, it is known that the 'Mother of Peace ", as it was called, wielded considerable influence in the administration of her husband. In the framework of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it is speculated that all anyone who wanted to win the primary election party on any level, it needs a blessing, and the ticket is yours. that was the level of influence they wielded. its influence extended to his home country, the river, where he once publicly stated that Nyeső Wike will be the next governor of the state.
her gaffes
During the presidential campaign in 2015, its brashness and unsophisticated mannerism has at its peak. At one of the meetings, she openly told the crowd supporter of women President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate then was brain dead, and should not be voted for.
She said in Pidgin: "Wetin Dey again find him? He Dey pull him Pika mate." The old man wey no get brain on the brain do die pata pata. If you vote for Buhari, on his prison "
While the country is still struggling with a gaffe, it created another stir when in Calabar urged PDP supporters to stone people shouting, 'Change', the slogan of the opposition APC.
In another meeting, said Buhari was "analog" candidate who was unable to be president and urged women not to vote for him. She described him as a relic that needs to go and rest for young people to take over. She said that he ruled Nigeria during the 'analogue' years and Nigerians do not want to go back to that year. She spoke to a large audience invites all women to vote because Jonathan gave them the opportunity to have a voice in the country and do not spend all their lives in the kitchen. "We do not want to re-type type writer, we want to use computers ... Buhari is the old analog, who ruled Nigeria in the analog years," she said.
In another meeting, the woman said that if they voted for Buhari, he would send them to prison. She said: "What they forgot in Aso Rock? If you vote for PDP and Jonathan, it would be better for you. If you vote APC, you'll go to jail. How can a prison for 300 years? I'm not ready to carry the food my husband in jail oh! As wife of the President, if you're good, people will love you. you will have a non-governmental organization through which you will touch the lives of people. that's why I brought women to change initiatives. "
EFCC case against her
The discovery of more than $ 15 million in the account is the product of an investigation into money laundering case against former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs ex-President Jonathan, Waripamowei Dudafa, which EFCC has traced four of the accounts of companies that have been blocked. A servant, drivers and other domestic workers Dudafa were appointed as directors, but patience is $ 15 million was submitted to the accounts. She was reportedly given a special card with which he allegedly made withdrawals from the account worldwide.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos was fresh to freezing several accounts suspected of being owned by Mrs. Jonathan and suspected to be proceeds of crime. Account with Skye Bank Plc, has balance $ 5,316.66. It also affected how the five companies and one Esther Both. The companies are believed to have a total of N7,418,829,290.94 in six banks, while both have balance $ 429,381.87. Order the Court was consequently the ex-parte proposal EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo.
He argued that there is an urgent need for the court to order a bank that, in the meantime, freeze accounts to prevent further waste of money.
The five companies affected are Finchley Top Homes Limited, Aribawa Aruera, Magel Resort Limited, AM -PM Global Network Limited, Pansy Oil and Gas Limited.
But Mrs. Jonathan said that the EFCC has no case against her, and accused the federal government witch hunt and harassment. She said that the money found in the accounts were a gift from a friend and well benefactors and committed anything wrong with them accept.
But what is the case against Mrs. Jonathan revenge or chase? And the other first ladies received similar treatment from successive governments? Is vengeance for reckless comments of Mrs. Jonathan during the campaign? Lawyer, Martins Agoziem does not think so. He said that the first ladies play a significant role in shaping the political process in their countries, but it is usually expected to put their actions in order to demand their roles. According to him, when most Nigerians think the first lady, the image that uses his position in order to increase personal and not to promote the interests of women comes to mind.
He said: "I am not one of those who believe that the investigation of Mrs. Jonathan is a witch hunt because of the things he said against the president in the last election. The question people should ask is what the job is done to be able to amass such a fortune in short period of time? you should stop being sentimental and give her a trial of any ethnic coloration. If such money found on her, she should tell the country how it is received. "
Experience Patience Jonathan leads in the context of actions past first ladies.
Maryam Abacha
Not much was heard from Maryam Abacha, the former first lady and widow of the late dictator, General Sani Abacha who was a military head of state from 1993 to 1998, when he held supremacy as first lady, she launched her project for the pets' Family the economic progress of the program '(FEAP), which is aimed at improving the lives of women and children.
After the death of her husband in June 1998, Mrs.Abacha allegedly tried to leave Nigeria with suitcases full of money. She reportedly arrested, placed on 24-hour surveillance, and barred from leaving Nigeria. Despite the brutality, human rights violations and embezzlement carried out during the regime of her husband, Mrs. Abacha has always insisted that her husband acted in the best interest of Nigeria. Her statement prompted speculation that he was trying to gain a pardon from then President Obasanjo, who is in prison, General Abacha ..
stella Obasanjo
The late Stella, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo held supremacy as the First Lady of the May 29, 1999 prior to her death on October 23, 2005. She was known for her pet project, "Childcare Trust, which seeks to improve the well-being of children. During her time as first lady wore many philanthropic activities and tried to further the interests of women and children. it is also known for its style and glamor, but he died after complications arising from cosmetic surgery abroad. Mrs. Obasanjo had its share of controversy. She criticized for living extravagant lives, and Midwest Herald newspaper ran an article accusing one for organizing the sale of 207 state-owned assets to relatives at reduced prices. this has attracted much criticism for her ostentatious displays of wealth and lavish lifestyle .
Turai Yar'Adua
Turai, wife of the late President Musa Yar'Adua was first lady of May 29, 2007 until the death of her husband in 2010 at the end of Yar'Adua's contested elections on the platform of the PDP against President Muhammad Buar and won. Like its predecessors before it, Turai wielded so much influence in the administration of her husband and called shots.
The extent of the wealth it was not known until the end of last year, when the headquarters of the police in Katsina arrested one of his assistants, Yusuf Sarkin-Gida, of stealing the value of goods that belonged to her N91 million after he filed a complaint to the police. The suspect was Keeper of Keys all Turai and property for many years, even before her late husband became governor of Katsina state.
Shortly after the inauguration of President Buhari administration in 2015, the EFCC initiated the probe Zainab Dakingari, Turai daughter and wife of former Kebbi State Governor, Saidu Dakingari. She said they were invited to explain the huge sums of money allegedly extracted through her company when she was first lady Kebbi State.
Later that year, Turai is reported to have been visited by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, where he asked him to take her and her family for all that is wrong is done to him (Obasanjo) during the term of the late wife to forgive. It is also reported to have pleaded with President Obasanjo to prevail on Buhari not harass or abuse members of her family or those who worked with her husband. It is reported that they specifically mention the probe to one of his daughters, Zainab, the EFCC. She believes that it was harassment and chase by the Buhari administration that in her family.
In other African first ladies
Statement of Feminist Africa, a publication of the African Gender Institute states that the first lady phenomenon has created a dynamic political space that is appropriated and used by the wives and friends of people in power in order to increase personal and not to promote the interests of women.
When most people think of African First Lady, the image that comes to mind is that Grace Mugabe, wife of long-serving President Robert Mugabe. It is constantly criticized life in ostentatious lifestyle and the purchase of luxury goods, and the economy of their country is falling.
In Swaziland in 2008, eight of the Swazi King Mswati III 13 women, accompanied by children, maids and bodyguards, hired a plane for a world tour in countries such as France, Italy, Taiwan and the United States. According to the Times of Swaziland, they reportedly spent about $ 6 million from the public treasury, and the report has caused so much outrage that Swazi women took to the streets in protest.
In South Africa, one of Jacob Zuma's three wives caused a scandal sleeping with her bodyguard. While in Malawi, Ethel Mutharika first lady had a Taj Mahal-style mausoleum built in his name.
The late Imelda Marcos, wife of the late Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos is known for its fashion and expensive trip abroad, and is often remembered for owning over 3,000 pairs of shoes.
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