According to punch newspaper,Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has stated clearly that she has no intention of returning to Aso Rock Villa, choosing instead to support and campaign alongside the current First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections. Jonathan made the statement during an award ceremony in Abuja on Saturday night, where she received the “Women Icon Leader of the Year” award presented by Accolade Dynamics Limited. Her declaration sets the tone for a new chapter in her political involvement, focusing on collaboration rather than personal ambition.
The former First Lady also took the opportunity to reflect on her long-standing relationship with Senator Oluremi Tinubu. She explained that their collaboration began long before either woman became First Lady. Recounting their shared history, Jonathan noted that their political and personal ties date back to when she served as the wife of a deputy governor and later as the wife of a state governor. She recalled how Oluremi Tinubu offered support during key political moments, including her husband’s tenure as Vice President and later President. “I didn’t just know her because she’s the First Lady,” Jonathan stated, “We worked together even before now.”
In a moment that appeared to combine personal loyalty with political alignment, Jonathan expressed gratitude to the First Lady’s daughter, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, for her role in the award ceremony. Her acknowledgment of Tinubu-Ojo further highlighted the strengthening alliance between both political families. Jonathan emphasized that her support for Oluremi Tinubu is rooted in shared history and personal conscience, stating, “I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not.” Her comment reflects a clear stance on political continuity and loyalty in the face of changing party dynamics.
As the 2027 elections approach, Jonathan’s public support is likely to carry weight among women’s groups and political observers, especially considering her influence as a former First Lady and her role in past political mobilization efforts. While she ruled out any return to national office for herself, her willingness to support the current administration could signal broader efforts to unite political figures across party lines. With her endorsement of rotational leadership and strong personal ties with the current First Lady, Jonathan appears poised to remain an active figure in the national political landscape, though from a position of mentorship and advocacy rather than direct political engagement.
She said, “I didn’t just know her (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) just because she’s the First Lady, no. We worked together. We worked as a group.
“We are groups. We worked when I was a deputy governor’s wife. We worked when I was a governor’s wife. I know her. I talked with Oluremi. Even when my husband was the vice president, Oluremi stood with her husband and supported us during our first election. They supported us. So, for me, I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not.