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President Goodluck Jonathan paid a secret visit to his
sick wife, Patience, in Germany on Saturday.
A short news item aired on the Nigerian
Television Authority at 9pm showed the President’s visit to his wife,
who is reported to be sick of an undisclosed ailment in Germany.
The news item was accompanied by a short video clip
showing the President and his gorgeously dressed wife.
Patience, who was in high spirit was heard
saying, “Let me take picture with my husband.”
When contacted, Special Adviser to the President on
Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed that the President
visited his wife in Germany on Saturday and that Jonathan returned to the
country on Sunday.
He said the video clip aired by NTA was
a confirmation that the President’s wife was hale and hearty contrary to what
some people wanted Nigerians to believe.
He said, “What that video has proved is that the
President’s wife is hale and hearty and she is not in bad shape like people
will want Nigerians to believe.
“The video has put paid to all the lies that people who
play politics with almost everything have been spreading.
“It was clear from that video that the scene was not an
hospital scene.”
The Presidential spokesman said government had been
quiet since because it could not afford to be “jumping into the fray” with
everybody.
When asked when the President’s wife would likely
return to the country, Abati said he did not have an idea.
Independent investigations conducted by our
correspondent revealed two verdicts.
It was gathered that Jonathan was accompanied on the
trip to Germany by the chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba.
It was gathered that Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany,
Usman Abubakar, was also with the delegation.
Unconfirmed report however had it that unlike in past
trips when the President was always accompanied byNTA reporter and
cameraman, the video clip that formed the backbone of the television report was
actually sent to the station on Sunday.
That claim fuelled the speculation that the clip might
have been recorded during the President’s stop over in Germany during his
recent trip to New York for the last United Nations General Assembly.
Since she left the country early in September, the
Presidency has kept mum on the nature of her sickness and her state of health.
In fact, her spokesman, Ayo Osinlu, claimed that the
President’s wife was only resting in Germany.
Speculation was rife over the weekend that Patience
might return to the country anytime from now.