Wednesday 25 July 2012

Battle of the First Ladies



Former First lady of Nigeria and wife of late President Yar’ Adua, Turai has dragged Dame Patience Jonathan to court over a dispute on a 1.84 hectares of land in Abuja. The disputed land, Plot no. 1347 Cadastral Zone AOO, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT, was initially allocated to a Non-Governmental Organisation, “Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation (WAYEF)”  while Mrs. Yar’adua was First Lady.
The two First ladies had gotten into a cold war after the Certificate of Occupancy for the parcel of land was revoked by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed describing it as an “overriding public interest”, and re-awarded to Patience Jonathan for the construction of a secretariat of the “First Ladies Peace Mission” on the 2nd of November, 2011. First Ladies Peace Mission indeed!
Just recently, The First Lady was sworn in as Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State Civil Servie, had a street named after her in Abuja. Now She's canvassing for the inclusion of  roles of presidents’ wives in the Constitution. This, according to her would enable them get retirement benefits along with their spouses when they leave office.
"We the wives of political office holders, if our names are not in the constitution and our husbands retire with benefits, the Constitution amendment committee should also look into the issue of wives of political appointees".
“We should be included in the Constitution so that we too can retire with benefits. With that we can enjoy our career, “Mrs. Jonathan added
Did she say career? * I laugh in Spanish*

Anyways, the Federal Government is planning for an out of court settlement.
I wish both parties all the best.

1 comment:

  1. Patience can't win the case she is an illiterate.

    ReplyDelete