Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has declared that she has no intention of returning to Aso Rock but will instead throw her support behind First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
She made this known while reaffirming her belief in the principle of rotational leadership, stating that “turn-by-turn” governance is crucial for national stability.
Speaking at an event in Abuja on Saturday night, where she received the Women Icon Leader of the Year award from Accolade Dynamics Limited, Jonathan acknowledged Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the President’s daughter and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, commending her for championing women’s causes.
The former First Lady stated that she would campaign alongside Remi Tinubu and offer her full support to the current administration.
“All the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Direct us, and we will follow. Because there is only one president at a time,” she said, emphasizing her respect for leadership rotation and loyalty to friends.
She revealed that her relationship with the current First Lady goes back many years, citing their work together during her time as a deputy governor’s wife, governor’s wife, and as wife of the Vice President.
Patience Jonathan recounted how the Tinubus supported her family during the 2011 presidential election and said her continued loyalty stems from that friendship.
“I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend,” she said.
Making light of her decision not to return to the Villa, she quipped, “Don’t you like how young I look? People say, ‘Mama, you are young!’ It’s because I have rest of mind. I don’t want to go there—let my friend be there. Let me also wahala her the way she used to wahala me when I was there!”
Jonathan also reiterated her support for the 35 percent affirmative action for women in governance, expressing concern over the National Assembly’s repeated rejection of gender equality bills.
She appealed to lawmakers to understand that women are not competing for power but working to support the nation’s progress.
In her acceptance speech, Jonathan dedicated her award to the collective efforts of both women and men who have championed women’s health and economic empowerment.
She noted the achievements of her NGOs, the Aurora Richard Foundation and the Women for Change and Development Initiative, which have supported thousands of women, youth, and children needing medical care.
She concluded by urging continued efforts toward equity, saying, “We are their mothers, sisters, and friends. May God touch their hearts.”