Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has ruled out the possibility of her husband, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, contesting the 2027 presidential election against incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 Award ceremony organised by Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja on Saturday, Mrs Jonathan declared unwavering support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing past political support from the Tinubu family during her husband’s 2011 presidential campaign.
“There is 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 your turn, step back so the country can move forward,” Mrs Jonathan said at the event attended by Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Tinubu.
She added that rather than returning to Aso Rock, she would campaign for Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, with whom she shares a longstanding relationship.
“I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend. Oluremi supported us during our first election when my husband was Vice President. For me, I will stand by her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa,” she said.
Mrs Jonathan further dismissed ongoing calls urging her husband to return to active politics. In April, the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation, led by Dr Jibril Mustapha, had called on Jonathan to contest in the 2027 general elections, describing him as a unifying leader.
However, the former First Lady made it clear that the Jonathan family has no interest in returning to the presidential race.
“I say it every day—don’t you like how young I look? It’s because I have rest of mind. I don’t want to go back there. Let my friend be there. Let me also ‘wahala’ her the way she used to ‘wahala’ me,” she said humorously.
She also threw her support behind the 35% affirmative action for women in governance, lamenting the continued rejection of gender equality bills by the National Assembly.
“During President Obasanjo’s time, we worked hard for the 35% women inclusion, and the executive approved it. My husband upheld it too. But when it comes to elective positions, men dominate and shut women out. May God touch their hearts to understand we are not trying to take power—we are trying to support them,” she said.
In her acceptance speech, Dame Patience Jonathan dedicated her Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award to the collective efforts of women and men advancing women’s health and economic well-being.
She highlighted the work of her NGOs—Aurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiative—which have empowered thousands of women and youths through skills acquisition, and assisted children with critical health needs requiring surgery abroad.
The Managing Director and CEO of Accolade Dynamics, Ms Dofan Chizaram, described the event as a tribute to individuals who have significantly influenced community development across Nigeria and the African continent.
“This night is about celebrating the legends who have uplifted women and the broader community. We want to acknowledge their value while they are still with us,” she said.