Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has made it clear—she has no plans to return to Aso Rock. Instead, she has thrown her full support behind First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and President Bola Tinubu, calling him a “wonderful president.”
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday night during the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award ceremony organized by Accolade Dynamics Limited, Dame Patience emphasized the importance of rotational leadership for Nigeria’s unity.
“Turn-by-turn is the way forward,” she said. “I believe in one president. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not, step back—so that the country can move forward.”
“No Shaking, We Will Follow”
Addressing Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Tinubu and the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan offered strong words of loyalty and encouragement.
“All the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Direct us, and we will follow,” she said, adding: “There is only one president at a time. I am outspoken — if I don’t like something, I will say it. But if I like something, I die for it.”
A Friendship That Runs Deep
Patience Jonathan highlighted her long-standing friendship with Senator Remi Tinubu, which she said began when both were wives of state leaders.
“I knew Remi long before Aso Rock. We worked together when I was a deputy governor’s wife and later as a governor’s wife. Even during my husband’s time as vice president, she and her husband supported us,” she revealed.
“I’m Not Running, I’m Not Going Back”
Dismissing rumors of a political comeback, the former First Lady was clear:
“I stand by my friend. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go.”
She joked about the peace and happiness she now enjoys:
“Don’t you like how young I look? It’s because I have the rest of my mind. Let my friend be there. Let me also ‘wahala’ her the way she used to ‘wahala’ me when I was there!”
Advocating for Women in Politics
On a more serious note, Dame Patience called out the repeated rejection of gender equality bills in Nigeria’s National Assembly. She reminded the audience of past efforts to implement 35% affirmative action for women.
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“We’re not trying to take power from the men,” she said. “We are trying to support them. We are their mothers, sisters, and friends.”
Award of Honour
While receiving the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award, she dedicated the honor to all those working for the better
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