Dame Jonathan, who was the president of the AFLPM up until yesterday, called an emergency session of the body, made up of wives of African leaders to organise elections as she is due to leave office on May 29. Originally, her term was not due to end until July but with her husband set to leave the presidency at the end of the month, Dame Jonathan had no option but to stand down.
According to some analysts, Dame Patience should have allowed General Muhammadu Buhari's wife Aisha to take over after May 29 and some political opponents see her calling this meeting as a political ploy. Eight women had taken Dame Jonathan to court to prevent the summit go ahead but she proceeded with it anyway and Sia Nyama Koroma, the first lady of Sierra Leone was elected as its new president.
Mrs Koroma, who was represented by Professor Khadija Hamdi, the first lady of the Saharawi Democratic Republic, pledged to ensure improved living conditions for the women and children of Africa. While handing over to the new president, Dame Jonathan said she would continue to render her support to the organisation.
She then handed over the certificate of occupancy of the land belonging to the organisation located in Abuja and the two bank accounts operated by the mission. Dame Jonathan explained that under her leadership, the organisation was guided by its objectives, including building the culture of peace and development in Africa.
Among other things, she said that the mission had offered support and services to victims of conflict and had used appropriate mechanisms and institutions to protect women and children in armed conflict countries. According to her, countries that had benefitted from its activities included Mali, Kenya, Guinea Bissau and the Saharawi Democratic Republic.
Professor Nicholas Ada, Nigeria's minister of state for foreign affairs, lauded the achievements of the mission recalling the euphoria that heralded its establishment in 1995. He urged the new AFLPM president to improve on the achievements of her predecessor and thanked the other first ladies for their contributions and support to Dame Jonathan.
Last week, Nana Module Onwodi, Ekemma Ugborough Arisa, Louisa Ono Eikhomun, Deborah Oboh, Juliet Mene, Juliet Pearce, Sonia Adolf and Kate Duru had filed a suit in an Abuja high court claiming that the emergency meeting called by Dame Jonathan was in bad faith. They added that it is aimed at scuttling any chance of the incoming first lady Hajiya Buhari, becoming the AFLPM president.
With the election of Mrs Koroma as the new president, Hajiya Buhari will not be able to stand as AFLPM president until July when fresh elections are due. It is not yet clear if Hajiya Buhari will stand then or if Mrs Koroma will seek to extend her term.
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