Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has dismissed any possibility of returning to Nigeria’s presidential villa, instead pledging her support for First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jonathan expressed her backing for the current administration during an award event in Abuja on Saturday where she was honoured with the Women Icon Leader of the Year award by Accolade Dynamics Limited.
At the ceremony, she acknowledged the efforts of Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of the president and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, for her role in advancing women’s causes.
“I was supposed to call her first, but I saved her for last: the daughter of our wonderful President, the President of Nigeria, the one and only we believe in — President Bola Tinubu. Iyaloja, thank you for standing with women because these are your women. Carry them along; they are with you,” she said.
“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. We don’t have two presidents. I am outspoken — if I don’t like something, I will say it. But if I like something, I die for it.
“I believe in one president. I believe in turn-by-turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back—so that the country can move forward.”
Jonathan stressed the importance of collective support for the current leadership, saying she would fully align with the First Lady and play an active role in mobilising support for her ahead of the next election cycle.
She also emphasised her longstanding relationship with Remi Tinubu, recalling their shared experiences from the time she served as the wife of a deputy governor through to her tenure as First Lady. Jonathan noted that both she and her husband received significant support from the Tinubus during their 2011 presidential campaign, a gesture she now feels compelled to reciprocate.
Highlighting her decision to stay away from Aso Rock, Jonathan maintained that her political loyalty lies with her allies and that it is time for others to lead. She also made light-hearted remarks about enjoying peace of mind away from the pressures of the presidency, attributing her youthful appearance to her current stress-free lifestyle.
She said, “Because, you see, this is turn by turn. Today is my turn—I will go. Tomorrow, it will be another person’s turn—then we go. And when we go, will we still meet? Where will we meet? I don’t know.
“I stand by my friend. My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go.”
She reaffirmed her support for 35 per cent affirmative action for women in governance and expressed concern over the repeated dismissal of gender equality legislation by the National Assembly. She urged male lawmakers to recognise women as partners in progress, not rivals.
Jonathan dedicated her award to the broader community of women working to improve health and economic outcomes across Nigeria. She credited the impact of her non-governmental organisations, the Aurora Richard Foundation and the Women for Change and Development Initiative, for empowering women and youth through skills training and for helping children access life-saving medical treatment abroad.
