Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Wednesday, announced her decision to reconcile with Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.
She also directed all her loyalists to work selflessly for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ensure re-election of the governor in the December 5 polls.
The latest decision is being interpreted in political circles as a major boost in the second term bid of the governor and the involvement of former aides to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
A close relative to President Goodluck Jonathan and former State Commissioner for Special Duties (Federal Project), Engr. Mike Ogiasa, who confirmed processes that led to the reconciliation between Dickson and Dame Patience Jonathan, shed more light on the reconciliation.
He said: “As a close family member, I know her very well. Dame Patience Jonathan can suppress her anger against someone and do the right thing. As I am talking to you, I believe, as a typical PDP woman, she can never support another political party against the choice of the PDP.
“In politics, there is unity in diversity. People disagree to agree. It was not a hidden fact that Governor Dickson was at loggerhead with Dame Patience Jonathan. But it is also true that, by human nature, she may not have supported Dickson. But she has weighed it and discovered that the election is beyond Dickson. And because, she is from Bayelsa and Rivers States, she knows what it took the Rivers man to retain the PDP leadership. She cannot now, because of anger, allow Bayelsa to be under the APC.
“Though, I don’t know who she is supporting but I know that she can never vote the APC against the PDP. If anyone emerges above Dickson at the PDP primaries, she will support the person. And if Dickson emerges as flag bearer, I am 100 per cent sure she will support him.”
Ogiasa, who is like a foster son to Jonathan, said the silence of the former President should not be termed to anti-party posture against the PDP ahead of the forthcoming governorship primaries and the election.
“I don’t know how to read body language. But I know that it is not only a body language but a mouth language that the President cannot support another party against the PDP. If you rely on body language to tell the thinking of Jonathan, you may misjudge him, But I know there is no way he would support APC to take over Bayelsa.
“But for who he is supporting in the PDP, we may not know. But the former President by now should have known the importance and unimportance of second term. So, Jonathan on his part, would have desired to run for second term too and complete some projects for the people of the state and the region. And it may also have dawned on him that it is painful not to have second tenure. Then, I don’t see him coming out to rubbish another person who wants second tenure. I don’t think a reasonable man like the President will say he can not support Dickson.”
Close aides of Patience Jonathan claim that the decision to support the PDP and the re-election of Dickson was based on the need to resist the perceived plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defeat PDP in Bayelsa State and disgrace former President Goodluck Jonathan in his home state.
Others close to the PDP claimed that Dame Patience Jonathan’s decision to reconcile with Governor Dickson was based on the series of interventions from some Bayelsa Elders including ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha.
Sources in Yenagoa said the former First Lady has directed her followers and loyalists, including the former Special Adviser to Jonathan on Domestic Matters, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafagh, to support Dickson.
Dudafagh was at loggerhead with Dickson over his alleged anti-PDP posture and sponsorship of some candidates of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
