Amid growing speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan may be encouraged by influential groups to seek a return to the presidency in 2027, former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has firmly dismissed any possibility of her family returning to Aso Rock.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday night after receiving the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award from Accolade Dynamics Limited, Mrs. Jonathan publicly pledged her unwavering support for First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, whose husband, President Bola Tinubu, is widely expected to seek re-election.
The former First Lady threw her weight behind the principle of rotational presidency, arguing that the “turn-by-turn” approach is vital for ensuring fairness and unity in Nigeria.
“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,” she said.
Clarifying that she has no intention of contesting for office or returning to Aso Rock, she reiterated her personal commitment to supporting the Tinubu family.
“Because, you see, this is turn by turn. Today is my turn, I will go. Tomorrow, it will be another person’s turn. 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 stated.
Mrs. Jonathan added a light-hearted remark about the personal benefits of staying away from the pressures of political life. “Don’t you like how young I look? It is because I have the rest of mind,” she said.
In her acceptance speech, she described the award as a recognition of the collective achievements made in advancing women’s health and economic empowerment. She also voiced strong backing for the 35 per cent affirmative action policy aimed at increasing women’s participation in governance, while lamenting legislative resistance.
“During Obasanjo’s time, we worked for it, and the executive approved 35 per cent. My husband also maintained it. But when it comes to elective positions, the men dominate and shut us out. May God touch their hearts to understand that we are their mothers, sisters, and friends. We are not trying to take power from them; we are trying to support them.”
Meanwhile, calls for former President Jonathan to return to the political scene have continued. Last week, Jibril Mustapha, president of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and former head of the Buhari Youth Organisation, urged Jonathan to run for the 2027 presidency, claiming his leadership was needed to rescue Nigerians from worsening economic conditions. Mustapha stressed that Jonathan’s return could unite stakeholders behind a credible national figure.
