Jonathan: her death forced us out of ‘hiding’`

Dr Jonathan and his wife, Patience...yesterday

Former President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that the death of Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo forced him out of seclusion.

He said he elected to remain out of public glare since leaving office on May 29 and had wanted the seclusion to continue.

The former President spoke at the Ikenne home of the Awolowos after he led a delegation to visit the family.

He said: “Within this period, my wife and I have been hiding; we don’t even go out. We thought we’ll be hiding for at least 12 months.

“But in this particular case, we could not hide. So, we’ve come here to console and encourage our brothers and sisters that we are together.”

Jonathan was accompanied  by his wife, Patience, former chairman of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Jide Adeniji, former Leader, House of Representatives, Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel and Mrs. Kuku from Bayelsa State.