Nigeria’s former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has declared that she’s “not going back to the (Aso) Villa” Nigeria’s Presidency.
The wife of former President Jonathan said she will support Remi Tinubu, the current first Lady to be in Aso Rock beyond 2027 because she’s her ‘friend’ and that it’s her ‘turn’ to occupy the position, saying “Let my friend be there,’ referring to Remi Tinubu.
She spoke Saturday night at an awards event in Abuja, where she received the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award from Accolade Dynamics Limited.
Dame Jonathan’s remark comes amidst recent suggestions that some powerful interests in the country, particularly from the North are planning to lure former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the 2027 presidential race.
The magazine reported that the incumbent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fallen out with some leaders from the region, who supported him in 2023, but are now shopping for his replacement, after accusing him of abandoning the region following his ascension to power.
But sources close to the former Nigerian leader informed the magazine that he has no intention to run for the highest office in 2027.
According to Dame Jonathan, she has been a friend to Remi Tinubu for years, and she would prefer that her husband spent the maximum eight years in office, saying it’s the turn of the Tinubu’s to rule the country.
Dame Jonathan: “I’m not running. I’m not going back to the Villa. If you call me, I will not go.
“Let my friend be there. Let me also ‘wahala’ her the way she used to ‘wahala’ me when I was there. “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.”
The Jonathans left the Nigerian Presidency in 2015 after the former leader lost the election to Muhammadu Buhari in a keenly contested election.
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