The said article had narrated how Dame Jonathan discussed
with the Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, the Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief
Godswill Akpabio, and the Abia State Governor, Dr. Theodore Orji on the same
matter.
But the office urged members of the Forth Estate of the
Realm to be more mature in reporting and adhere to the basic ethics of
journalism by being fair, factual and balanced.
According to the statement, “The article made reference to a
vague source with no name. No reporter approached the First Lady or her office
for comments or at least to ascertain the veracity of the story. In that
respect, the story was not balanced.
“The language used in the report cannot be called fair. In
fact, it should draw consternation from all well meaning individuals as being
uncharitable. Words like “haranguing the party’s governors” and “Threatens PDP
Governors” are not only untrue but capable of causing disaffection and
portraying the First Lady in a bad light.
“We wish to restate that the First Lady, like any other
Nigerian is guaranteed the freedom of expression and freedom of association as
enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. The First Lady has always exercised
this basic right maturely and patriotically by advocating peace, tolerance and
dialogue as demonstrated in all her public speeches and statements.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it must be stated clearly that
the First Lady has never harangued or threatened anyone, needless to say,
serving governors.”
The statement said in continuation of her efforts towards a
peaceful nation, Mrs Jonathan, last Tuesday led a National Women Fasting and
Prayer for Peace and Unity in Nigeria event in Abuja.
It recalled that Christian and Muslim women came together as
agents of peace, carrying olive branches, “beseeching the Lord to uphold the
peace and unity of Nigeria; peace in all the political parties; peace in the
National Assembly and peace in the Presidency, as only peace and unity can move
our nation, Nigeria forward.”
The spokesperson added that “Nobody should, under any guise,
use the name of the First Lady to cause division or discord in the nation as
she has committed herself to fasting and praying for the peace and unity of
Nigeria.”
“The First Lady will continue fasting until we achieve unity
and peace in our Fatherland,” it concluded.
0 Comments