The Presidency has finally confirmed that the First Lady, Patience Jonathan is currently not in the country.

According to a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the media assistant to Mrs. Jonathan, the First Lady has traveled to Congo.

Adewuyi added that Mrs. Jonathan has gone to the country to join her colleagues from Africa for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of a Non-Governmental Organisation, Congo Assistance Foundation, established by the Congolese First Lady, Madam Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso. He was however silent on when she is expected back in the country.

According to the statement, Mrs. Jonathan was received in Congo on arrival by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Congo Brazzaville, Princess ‎Onipede, in the company of top Congolese officials.

It will be recalled that Mrs. Jonathan has been absent from all public events inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, since President Jonathan lost his re-election bid in the March 28 presidential election.

This has fueled speculations over her whereabouts with the presidency keeping sealed lips.

The statement reads: “First Lady, Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, is in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, joining other African First Ladies for the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Congo Assistance Foundation, an NGO of Congolese First Lady, Madam Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso.

“The Foundation, established in 1984, has engendered social action in the areas of health, education, skills acquisition in favour of indigent people of Congo.

“Dame Patience Jonathan runs similar organisation ‎in Nigeria, the Aruera Reachout Foundation, which also focuses on the upliftment of women and children, the needy and imprisoned.

“The First Ladies of Benin Republic, Senegal, Mali, Tchad, Niger and Guinea Conakry are also in Brazzaville for the grand finale of the week-long programmes, during which a National Centre for Sickle Cell disease was inaugurated.

“Dame Patience Jonathan was received on arrival by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Congo Brazzaville, Princess ‎Onipede, in company with top Congolese officials.”