PATIENCE JONATHAN: ANOTHER TURAI?

Many Nigerians cannot forget in a hurry what obtained when Madam Turai Yar’adua was the first lady. And if anyone is to read the minds of many Nigerians, it is very obvious that they would never want a recurrence of the “Turai-saga.” However, the doubt of these people may be leaving the realm of doubt into the realm of reality as we may just have another Turai-in-the-waiting in the person of our new First Lady, Mrs Dame Patience Jonathan.
Mrs. Patience Jonathan and Bola Shagaya at the airport
News carried it recently that the new first lady of Nigeria has been embarking on some ‘trips.’ One of the trips that is at the centre of the storm is that which she had to Dubai to supposedly purchase jewelries—as she is said to be very much in love with gold jewelries. However, in a swift response to the news carried by the media, the Media Assistant to the first lady, Ayo Adewuyi, said that she was merely in Dubai for an unofficial visit that had been scheduled ever before her husband was sworn in as the president.
Reports also carried it that Mrs Jonathan has been under the ‘watchful’ eyes of EFCC for some corrupt practices she had been involved in. She was linked with a sum of N104million which at point was ceased by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). She was also linked with a money laundering offence that involved $13.5 million dollars. However, in a rather prompt and swift response, the media assistance to the First lady outrightly denied all the allegation leveled against Madam Patience tracing her supposedly clean record right from she was the wife of Goodluck, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state to when she was the wife of Goodluck, the Governor of the same state to when she was the wife of Goodluck, the VP, etc till her husband finally became the president. She was even said to have travelled to Dubai, not in first class but economy, showing that she is not an opportunist. According to her media aide, it also shows that she is not new to the dynamics of power, meaning that she is too experienced to be power-drunk (like Turai).
Once bitten, twice shy. Nigerians were bitten several times by Madam Turai when she was the first lady, we do not want to be bitten again this time when ‘Sister Patience’ in ‘in power.’ Some news agencies also carried it that the first lady is curious and jealous about the kind of blissful relationship that exists between her husband – the president – and Madam Diezani Allison-Madueke, Nigeria’s Minister for Petroleum Resources. This ‘rumour’ tends to be more believable as it is rumored that Mr President was very instrumental in her (Diezani Allison-Madueke’s) choice as the minister of Petroleum. This was when Goodluck Jonathan was still the Vice President.
The inquisitiveness of press outfits about the person and moves of Madam First Lady is the case because of the antecedence that has been set by Turai. However, the question to ask is: “Do we really have another Turai in the person of Madam Dame Patience Jonathan?” If anyone that reads this article knows the First lady (or if she herself reads it), she is hereby advised to curb every tendency she has to become another Turai. If she makes any move to become another Turai, Nigerians will not open their eyes and allow it allow dirt domicile in it. I’m sure Nigerians may only be passive; we are not cowards. Are we? Madam Dame Patience Jonathan, BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU!
Olofinlua Oyindamola