2027: I’m not going back to villa, I will campaign with Remi Tinubu – Patience Jonathan

In a subtle reply to some political elements in the country and especially from the northern part of country courting the former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest presidency in 2027, the former first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan said she was not interested in going back to Aso Rock Villa as a first lady anymore

She firmly ruled out any return ambitions either for herself and by implication her husband, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

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She made her mind known at an awards event in Abuja on Saturday night, where she received the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award from Accolade Dynamics Limited, the former first lady said she will campaign with Mrs Remi Tinubu for the return of President Bola Tinubu for a second term of office.

“I’m not running. I’m not going back to the Villa. If you call me, I will not go,” she said pointedly.

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“Let my friend be there. Let me also ‘wahala’ her the way she used to ‘wahala’ me when I was there!”

Rumours have been swirling across the country and particularly in the northern region of the former President Jonathan’s return in the obvious economic hardship inflicted on Nigerians by the present administration of Bola Tinubu.

By implication she has distanced herself and endorsed the incumbent First Lady and her emphatic rejection of any return to the presidential villa.

Reiterating her belief in rotational leadership, she emphasised that the “turn-by-turn” principle is essential for national unity, a sentiment that appears to reinforce her support for the Tinubu administration’s continued tenure.

“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,” she said.

In a heartfelt tribute to Iyaloja-General Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, Mrs. Jonathan said: “All the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Direct us, and we will follow.”

She recalled a long-standing relationship with Remi Tinubu, which dates back to their days as wives of deputy governors and governors, adding that the Tinubus stood by her family during the 2011 presidential campaign.

“I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not,” she stated.

The former First Lady also used the occasion to champion the 35% affirmative action for women in governance and criticised the National Assembly for repeatedly rejecting gender equality bills.

She urged male lawmakers to support women’s political inclusion, stating, “We are not trying to take power from them – we are trying to support them.”

The award ceremony celebrated Dame Jonathan’s continued advocacy through her NGOS – the Aurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiative, which have provided skills training for women and youth, and funded life-saving surgeries for children abroad.

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