Dame Patience Jonathan, former First Lady of Nigeria, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027. In her statement, she declared her full support for Tinubu and emphasized the importance of rotational leadership to ensure national unity. According to a report from May 12, 2025, Dame Jonathan made the announcement after receiving the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award from Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja.
During her speech, Dame Jonathan praised the Tinubu family for their unwavering support and commitment to the country. She also noted that she would actively support Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s campaign, and despite any speculations, she has no plans to run for the presidency herself. “When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back—so the country can move forward,” she said.
The former First Lady also reflected on her years of working alongside the Tinubus, recalling their shared experiences during the 2011 presidential campaign. She pointed out that her relationship with Senator Oluremi Tinubu dates back to their days as wives of state governors.
Dame Jonathan took a stand on the issue of women’s representation in politics, lamenting the lack of women in elective positions despite prior governmental support for a 35% affirmative action. She called for more opportunities for women in politics, urging men to recognize the importance of supporting women in leadership roles.
In a lighter moment, Dame Jonathan joked that she would not return to Aso Rock, even if invited, and promised to campaign alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. “Let my friend be there. I want to ‘wahala’ her the way she used to ‘wahala’ me when I was there,” she quipped.
Article updated 5 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
