Ateke Tom defends Jonathan’s wife

BARELY three days after unknown gunmen attacked the campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress in Okrika Local Government Area of Rives State, a former militant leader, Ateke Tom, has dismissed claims that the President’s wife, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, was behind the incident.

One policeman was killed while several APC supporters were injured when hoodlums opened fire on the governorship campaign rally in the area.

There were reports that Mrs. Jonathan, who is a native of Okrika Local Government Area, had a hand in the incident that led to the attack on a Channels Television correspondent, Mr. Charles Eruka.

But Ateke Tom, who rose in the defence of the President’s wife while speaking in a telephone interview with Sunday PUNCH, explained that Mrs. Jonathan would never be involved in the sponsorship of violence. He described her as a woman of peace.

He accused politicians of being responsible for the attack on the APC rally.

He said, “Politicians are pointing accusing fingers; but they are all politicians. But what I am sure of is that the President’s wife can never be involved in the attack at Okrika.

“She is seen as the mother of the country and she hates violence and the shedding of blood. She can’t be involved in such an act and I disagree with those saying she is responsible for the attack on APC campaign ground.”