Former First Lady Patience Jonathan has ruled out any possibility of her husband, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, contesting against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing loyalty, personal conviction, and long-standing political alliances.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday at the Women Icon Leader of the Year Award organised by Accolade Dynamics Limited, Mrs Jonathan said her family would rather support Tinubu’s re-election, recalling the support she and her husband received from Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, during their 2011 presidential campaign.
Since Goodluck Jonathan left office in 2015 after losing to Muhammadu Buhari, there have been recurring calls for his return to Aso Rock. The most recent was in April 2024, when Dr. Jibril Mustapha, President of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation, urged Jonathan to run again in 2027, positioning him as a unifying leader for the country.
Rejecting those calls, Patience Jonathan said at the award event—also attended by Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Tinubu—that her loyalty lies with Tinubu’s camp. “There’s only one President at a time. I believe in turn by turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not, step back so the country can move forward,” she stated.
She described Oluremi Tinubu as a longtime friend and ally, dating back to when both served as wives of deputy governors and governors. “Even when my husband was Vice President, Remi Tinubu and her husband supported us during our first election. I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend,” she said.
Patience reaffirmed that she is not interested in returning to the Presidential Villa: “I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go... I love the rest of mind I have now. Let my friend enjoy her turn.”
Humorously, she added, “Let me also ‘wahala’ her the way she ‘wahala-ed’ me when I was there. Until she comes out, she won’t be young—but for now, she’s not young,” drawing laughter from the audience.
She also expressed strong support for 35% affirmative action for women in governance, lamenting the repeated failure of gender equality bills in the National Assembly. She called on men in power to support women, not perceive them as threats: “We are not trying to take power from them—we are trying to support them.”
Accepting the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 Award, Mrs Jonathan dedicated it to collective efforts in improving women’s health and economic wellbeing. She highlighted her work through the Aurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiative, which have empowered thousands of women and youth and supported children needing critical surgeries abroad.
Accolade Dynamics CEO, Ms. Dofan Chizaram, said the award was a tribute to individuals whose leadership and service have positively impacted Nigeria and Africa. “This night is about celebrating legends who uplift others while they are still with us,” she said.
ADEOLA KUNLE
