The feud between the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, and the first lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan Monday got messier, with the sack of the State Commissioner for Local Government, Marie Ebikake, and the Special Adviser on Federal Government Projects, Remi Kuku, over accusations that their loyalty was divided between the state government and the first lady.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Markson-Iworiso, did not give reason for the sack of Ebikake and Kuku but warned the youths and women of the presence of politicians out to destabilize the state.
Ebikake and Kuku were members of the Dickson administration and participated in the reception welcoming the Mrs. Jonathan to Bayelsa’s Otuoke community over the weekend for the wedding ceremony of the President’s foster daughter in Ogbia Local Government Area.
In doing this, Ebikake and Kuku allegedly shunned a blanket order asking all political appointees to steer clear of the event on the directive of the Governor and his wife.
SaharaReporters learned that the venue of the ceremony quickly turned battleground by attendees loyal to Mrs. Jonathan and those loyal to Governor Dickson.
A source claiming connection to Mrs. Jonathan and Mr. Kuku alleged that the reported refusal of by state government to accord the first lady courtesies angered attendees. Speaking under the condition of anonymity, the source stated, “We were not abusive but giving support to our Mama Peace.”
The cold war between Mrs. Jonathan and the Bayelsa State governor steepened in October 2014, following the first lady’s resignation as a Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service.
Mrs. Jonathan, who was popularly referred to as “Super Perm. Sec.” was appointed in July 2012, five months after Governor Dickson’s inauguration.
