First Lady Patience Jonathan yesterday arrived in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on a three-day visit.
Mrs Jonathan is believed to be in her home state to prepare for the funeral of her mother, Madam Charity Oba, who died in a car crash last month.
Her visit to Port Harcourt in June generated some row. Streets were blocked, causing traffic chaos in the Garden City during her seven –day stay, which was generally believed to be political because of the feud between the Federal Government and the Rivers State government. She, however, denied that her trip had any political undertone
Ahead of her arrival, there was heavy police presence on some major roads in Port Harcourt.
Security operatives mounted surveillance on her residence on Bauchi Road, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.
Police spokeswoman Angela Agabe said on arrival, the First Lady flew to Okrika, her home town.
Dame Patience was shielded from top officials of the Rivers government, including the Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru, who came to receive her at the airport.
It was gathered last night that the Rivers government team, led by Ikuru was at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa to receive the President’s wife, but was not allowed to move to the tarmac.
Ikuru was accompanied by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), George Feyii, some commissioners and other top Rivers government officials.
The impeccable source said the Presidency had earlier informed the Rivers government of the First Lady’s visit, with necessary arrangements made to make the visit memorable and hitch-free.
The source said: “A Lieutenant Colonel approached the members of the Rivers state government’s team at the Port Harcourt International Airport and told them that they had directives from the Presidency that they should not be allowed near the First Lady.
“Wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, Mrs. Rachael Dickson, was allowed to receive the First Lady at the airport. It was very embarrassing and annoying.”
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