I Am Not Going BacK To Aso Rock, Says Patience Jonathan

FORMER First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has stated that she had no intention to return to Aso Rock Villa, instead, she declared her support and promised to campaign alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mrs. Jonathan, while expressing her support for the emerging principle of rotational leadership, described the “turn-by-turn” model as essential for national unity.
The former first lady, while acknowledging the ’s daughter of President Bola Tinubu, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, after receiving the ‘Women Icon Leader of the Year’ award from Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja, on Saturday night, May 10, said: “I was supposed to call her first, but I saved her for last: the daughter of our wonderful President Bola Tinubu.
“Iyaloja, thank you for standing with women, because these are your women. Carry them along; they are with you. All 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 don’t have two presidents. I am outspoken; if I don’t like something, I will say it. But if I like something, I die for it.
“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.”
Mrs. Jonathan recalled her longstanding relationship with Mrs. Remi Tinubu, predating their time in Aso Rock, saying she and Tinubu supported she and her husband when they contested the presidency in 2011.
She insisted that rather than return to Aso Rock, she would support the First Lady and her husband, noting: “I didn’t just know her just because she’s the First Lady, no, we worked together as a group.
“We are groups. We worked when I was a deputy governor’s wife. We worked when I was a governor’s 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.
“Because, you see, this is turn by turn. Today is my turn, I will go. Tomorrow, it will be another person’s turn, then we go. And when we go, will we still meet? Where will we meet? I don’t know.
“I stand by my friend. My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the Villa. If you call me, I will not go.
“I say it every day. Don’t you like how young I look? People say, ‘mama, you are young, you are young!’ 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! Let me also tease her.
“And until she comes out, she will be young. But for now, she won’t be young.”
The former first lady expressed support for the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in governance, lamenting the repeated rejection of gender equality bills by the National Assembly.
“During Obasanjo’s 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 them; we are trying to support them.”
Mrs. Jonathan described the honour as a recognition of collective efforts in the advancement of women’s health and economic well-being, adding: “I am deeply humbled to receive this prestigious 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.”
Managing Director and Chief Executive of Accolade Dynamics, organisers of the award, Dofan Chizaram, described the night as a tribute to both men and women who have significantly impacted Nigeria and African through leadership, mentorship, and community development.
“This 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,” she stated.