Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has ruled out any return to Aso Rock, declaring her full support for First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at an award event in Abuja on Saturday night, the former First Lady said she would actively campaign with Remi Tinubu rather than return to political office.
“I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go,” Jonathan declared. “I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her.”
Jonathan was speaking after receiving the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award from Accolade Dynamics Limited. The event also had in attendance Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of the President and Nigeria’s Iyaloja-General, whom Patience Jonathan hailed for her support for women.
“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, affirming her support for rotational leadership.
She spoke warmly of her long relationship with Remi Tinubu, recounting that their bond predates their days in Aso Rock.
“We worked together. I know her. Even when my husband was the vice president, Oluremi stood with her husband and supported us during our first election,” Jonathan noted. “I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not.”
In a light-hearted tone, she added, “Don’t you like how young I look? It is because I have rest of mind, yes. I don’t want to go there—let my friend be there. Let me also ‘wahala’ her the way she used to ‘wahala’ me when I was there!”
Jonathan also used the platform to advocate for increased representation of women in government, condemning the rejection of gender equality bills in the National Assembly.
“We are not trying to take power from them—we are trying to support them,” she said.
She dedicated her award to the collective efforts of women’s groups and her NGOs—Aurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiative—which have supported health and economic causes for women and children.
The event’s organiser, Ms. Dofan Chizaram of Accolade Dynamics, described the award night as a celebration of trailblazers “who have uplifted women and the broader community.”
