Dame Patience Jonathan, the First Lady, has criticized the scmolesting of the office of the First Ladies, arguing that ” First Ladies have made profound contributions to the development of Nigeria” Punch reports.
Mrs. Jonathan disclosed this in Umuahia, Abia State on Friday December 26, while speaking at the grand civic reception in her honour by her maternal kinsmen of the Ohuhu clan.
She stated that the bid by politicians from the opposition party to scrap the office of the First Lady would amount to sending the Nigerian women back to the kitchen if such came to fruition, adding, “It is not our portion to go back to the kitchen”.
She added, “We have women that are capable. We can contribute our quota to the development of Nigeria.”
She explained that contrary to opinions and wrong impressions by some people, First Ladies play essential roles in moving the country forward, adding that those behind the call might not have appreciated the good parts being played by First Ladies.
However the wife of the President recalled that she through her office she has touched the lives of many Nigerian women and youths, adding that many governors’ wives have also affected lives in their various states through the same office.
She insisted that First Ladies all over the world play supportive roles which she noted, were very relevant for the successes recorded by their husbands.
Mrs. Jonathan made these remarks in response to a proposition by Gen Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC to scrap the office of the First Lady if voted into office as Nigeria’s President on the basis that the constitution of Nigeria makes no provision for the office.