Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has ruled out any return to Aso Rock Villa, declaring instead that she will campaign alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ex-First Lady, known for her candid views, threw her weight behind the principle of rotational leadership, describing the โturn-by-turnโ model as essential for national unity.
Jonathan disclosed this while acknowledging the Presidentโs daughter and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, after receiving the Women Icon Leader of the Year award from Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja on Saturday night.
She said, โI was supposed to call her first, but I saved her for last: the daughter of our wonderful President, the President of Nigeria, the one and only we believe in โ President Bola Tinubu. Iyaloja, thank you for standing with women because these are your women. Carry them along; they are with you.
โAll the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Direct us, and we will follow.
Because there is only one president at a time. We donโt have two presidents. I am outspoken โ if I donโt like something, I will say it. But if I like something, I die for it.
โI believe in one president. I believe in turn-by-turn. When itโs your turn, I will support you. When itโs not your turn, step backโso that the country can move forward.โ
Speaking further, she said she has a longstanding relationship with Remi Tinubu that predates their time in Aso Rock.
Jonathan also recalled how Remi Tinubu and the president supported her and her husband when they contested for the presidency in 2011.She insisted that rather than return to Aso Rock, she would support the First Lady and her husband.
She said, โI didnโt just know her (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) just because sheโs the First Lady, no. We worked together. We worked as a group.
โWe are groups. We worked when I was a deputy governorโs wife. We worked when I was a governorโs 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.
โBecause, you see, this is turn by turn. Today is my turnโI will go. Tomorrow, it will be another personโs turnโthen we go. And when we go, will we still meet? Where will we meet? I donโt know.
โI stand by my friend. My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. Iโm not denying her. Iโm not running. Iโm not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go.
โI say it every day. Donโt you like how young I look? People say, โMama, you are young, you are young!โ it is because I have rest of mind, yes. I donโt want to go thereโlet my friend be there. Let me also โwahalaโ her the way she used to โwahalaโ me when I was there! Let me also tease her. And until she comes out, she will be young. But for now, she wonโt be young. โ
She also threw her weight behind the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in governance, lamenting the repeated rejection of gender equality bills by the National Assembly.
โDuring Obasanjoโs 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 themโwe are trying to support them.โ
Jonathan described the honour as a recognition of collective efforts in the advancement of womenโs health and economic well-being.
She said, โI am deeply humbled to receive this prestigious Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award. I accept this honour not just as a personal recognition, but as a testament to the tireless efforts of countless women and men who have worked alongside me to promote good health and economic development for women in Nigeria and beyond.โ
She highlighted the work of her NGOsโAurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiativeโwhich have empowered thousands of women and youth through skill acquisition programmes and supported children with critical health conditions requiring surgeries abroad.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and CEO of Accolade Dynamics, Ms. Dofan Chizaram described the night as a tribute to both men and women who have significantly impacted Nigeria and the African continent through leadership, mentorship, and community development.
โThis 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,โ Tor said.
