Patience, the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, has denied that her husband will run against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Mrs. Jonathan stated that since Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, backed Jonathan’s 2011 presidential campaign, her family will support Tinubu’s reelection rather than run for office.
Speaking on Saturday at Accolade Dynamics Limited’s Women Icon Leader of the Year Award in Abuja, Mrs. Jonathan’s husband resigned from government in 2015 after losing to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
There have been calls for Jonathan to run for president again every election cycle since he left office in 2015.
Dr. Jibril Mustapha, the president of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organization, issued the most recent appeal in April of this year, urging Jonathan to follow through on the calls to run for president.
The Nigeria Rescue Mission Organization feels that the time has come for all parties to unite and back a candidate who can truly represent the interests of all Nigerians as the country gets ready for the 2027 elections.
In a statement, Mustapha added, “We implore former President Goodluck Jonathan to take this call seriously and to run as a candidate who can bring our nation together and guide us toward a better future.”
Speaking at the Abuja event on Saturday, where President Tinubu’s daughter, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, was present, Mrs. Patience, however, rejected the call for her husband to run for president again, stating that she would prefer to support Tinubu’s reelection in the spirit of “turn-by-turn.”
“She is the daughter of our wonderful President, the President of Nigeria, the one and only person we believe in—President Bola Tinubu,” she added, adding that she was meant to be called Tinubu’s daughter first but was reserved for last. These are your ladies, therefore Iyaloja, thank you for standing with them. They are with you, so take them with you.
I think there is only one president. Turn by turn is what I believe in. I’ll be there for you when it’s your turn. Step back when it’s not your turn so that the nation can proceed.
She went on to say that she and Remi Tinubu have a long-standing friendship that dated back before they lived in Aso Rock.
Mrs. Jonathan recounted the support she and her husband received from President Tinubu and Oluremi Tinubu during their 2011 presidential campaign.
She insisted on helping Oluremi and her husband instead of going back to the Aso Rock.
“I didn’t know Senator Oluremi Tinubu just because she’s the First Lady,” she stated. We collaborated. Our team worked together.
“We are collectives. When I was the wife of a deputy governor, we worked together. When I was a governor’s wife, we worked together. She is someone I know. Oluremi spoke with me. Oluremi supported us in our first election and remained by her husband, even when he was the vice president. They were on our side. I therefore have a conscience. Whether you like it or not, I cannot leave my pal.
“I support my pal. My friend is fantastic. I promised to run with her. I will not deny her. I’m not going to run. I will not return to the property. I won’t go if you phone me.
Every day, I say it. Do you not like my youthful appearance? “Mama, you’re young, young!” people exclaim. Yes, it’s because I have peace of mind. Let my pal be there; I don’t want to go there. She used to “wahala” me when I was there, so let me do the same to her! I’ll tease her too. She will also be youthful until she comes out. But she won’t be young for the time being.
She also criticized the National Assembly’s frequent rejection of gender equality laws and placed her support behind the 35% affirmative action policy for women in government.
We worked for it under Obasanjo, and the executive gave his approval for 35%. My spouse kept it up too. However, the men rule and exclude us when it comes to elective jobs. May God move them to recognize us as their friends, sisters, and moms. We are attempting to assist them, not to usurp their authority.
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