A woman who confided in a SaharaReporters revealed how they were paid N10, 000 each and lodged in a hotel in Alagbaka and Ijapo area of Akure.
Nigeria's first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Tuesday publicly pleaded with women to vote for her husband, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday.
Madam Jonathan made the plea while addressing women at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, a venue of the PDP National Women Campaign Rally held in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
She said Saturday's election would determine the fate of her husband, whether he would still have control over the economy of the country, and added that without the vote of the women her husband would lose the election.
Dozens of the women who attended Tuesday’s rally the rally were hired from neighboring states, while others were brought from other southeast states to Akure.
A woman who confided in a SaharaReporters revealed how they were paid N10, 000 each and lodged in a hotel in Alagbaka and Ijapo area of Akure.
"We have been in Akure since Saturday evening after they mobilized us from Anambra, Imo, Delta, and Edo State to support women in Ondo for the rally.
"They would be paying us N10, 000 after the event, and we are still going to have a meeting with the Governor’s wife and I would gist you the outcome if you want me", the women told SaharaReporters.
But, speaking at the venue of the rally, Mrs. Jonathan disclosed that her main reason to be in Akure was to beg Ondo women for their votes in the Saturday's election.
"What I came here to do today is nothing but to beg you for your vote. I have come to beg, preach for the Peoples Democratic Party family. I have come to seek your votes. I am begging you.
"Please, this Saturday is at hand. This Saturday is very close. It’s a date that we need your mandate. We know that Ondo is a PDP state. Mimiko is doing well. Please, we are begging for your vote.
"Nigeria women please come out this Saturday and vote en mass the PDP candidates. This Saturday vote for Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This Saturday, vote for your senators and members of the House of Representatives. This Saturday, is the day you would exercise your conscience", she said.
The first lady also disclosed that her husband’s administration is women friendly, with the appointment of close to 16 women out of 42 members in the federal cabinet into his portfolio.
"You can see that our president found us trustworthy for appointing we the women in the key strategic areas of his economy.
"You remember the Minister of Petroleum is a woman, the Minister of Finance is a woman, the ICT Minister is a woman and many others I can't mention. When the Nigerians want it women gives it back to them.
"My husband is the best since the ruling of the PDP to appoint a woman as the President of the Appeal court. He is the first to make sure there is a female Rear Admiral in the Nigeria Navy".
She revealed that the president has reduced the rate of corruption and unemployment in the country by distributing fertilizers to farmers to make farming suitable as a job.
Madam Jonathan, who appreciated the importance of education in the lives of people of Ondo State, noted that her husband has created a robust avenue for people in the country to triumph of education.
"We are taking about education. I know Ondo State people are well educated. As Patience is standing before you, if am not educated we they carry me go. That is why we need to be well educated. You can see that all the schools my husband is building there is 37 of it for the girl child" she said.
The president's wife also begged the women not to vote for General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) because he wouldn't take proper care of women and feed them well.
She further disclosed that her only problem with the opposition party is its nature of attacking her husband because he has nt performed creditably well.
Madam Jonathan described the governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko has a stooge to her husband, Jonathan, adding that hie continues patronage of the presidency would always be appreciated.