Constitution Amendment: Patience Jonathan Seeks Role For Wives Of Political Officeholders

Wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan yesterday joined the call for the amendment of the nation’s constitution as she asked the National Assembly to consider the inclusion of the roles of the wives of political office holders in the country.

Dame Patience Jonathan said though it is regrettable that the role of the wives of political office holders was not included in the constitution, the proposed inclusion in the anticipated amendment will enable them have benefits at the end of their husband’s tenure of office.

Dame Patience Jonathan,while speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa yesterday after being sworn-in as Permanent Secetary in Bayelsa State, said the members of the National Assembly should assist and define a particular role for the wives of political office holders in the constitution.

Mrs.Jonathan told newsmen that she is one of the most qualified to be appointed a Permanent Secretary,”It is justified because I have been a civil servant way back in the old Rivers State.I was promoted? 13 years ago to the cadre of a director in the Bayelsa State Civil Service”.

The President’s wife? recalled that some public and civil servants? in the country had been promoted while serving in government, stressing that her appointment was not peculiar, ” I want to? tell? Nigerians? to be patient .

During the time of his excellency, the former Head of State, Gen. AbdulsalamAbubakar, his? wife was a Judge? through out? his tenure .When the former Governor of Rivers State ,Dr. Peter Odili, the wife was a Judge .The wife of the governor of Adamawa state is a serving judge. “

“When the? former? Minister? of Information ,Prof. Dora Akunyili was in government, she was promoted as a Professor in the University. When Prof Jerry Gana was a Minister of Information? , he was promoted to the position of? a Professor by his university.”

“When you come to Africa as a whole, wife of the President of Uganda ,Yoweri Museveni,?? was a minister for eight years .The same goes to President of South Africa, his wife is a Minister.

Today, she is the chairperson of African Union (AU).I am a civil servant. When? I met my husband ,he was my lecturer in the College of Education, Port Harcourt. By then I was even a teacher. I still went to the university to continue my career.”