Turn by Turn — Ex-First Lady Patience Jonathan Declares Support for Tinubu’s Second Term
Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has thrown her weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition, saying clearly that her husband, Goodluck Jonathan, is not returning to Aso Rock — and she won’t either.
Speaking in Abuja on Saturday night at an event organized by Accolade Dynamics Limited where she was honoured with the “Women Icon Leader of the Year” award, Patience made her position known while giving special thanks to the President’s daughter, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, also known as the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria.
“Iyaloja, thank you for standing with women — these are your women. Carry them along; they are with you,” she said passionately. “All the way, we are with you. No shaking. We will follow. Just direct us, and we will follow.”
In her usual candid style, Patience declared her belief in leadership rotation — what Nigerians call “turn by turn.”
“There is only one president at a time,” she said. “I believe in turn-by-turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back so the country can move forward. I don’t pretend. If I like something, I stand by it.”
She spoke fondly of her relationship with First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, saying it dates back years — long before either of their husbands occupied the presidential villa.
“We worked together when I was a deputy governor’s wife, then as a governor’s wife. Even when my husband was vice president, she and her husband supported us during our first election. I have a conscience; I cannot abandon my friend. This is turn by turn — today it’s me, tomorrow it’s another person.”
She stressed that she had no plans of returning to the corridors of power and was content to support her friend from the sidelines.
“I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I won’t go. Don’t you like how young I look? People say, ‘Mama, you’re looking young!’ It’s because I have peace of mind,” she said with laughter. “Let my friend enjoy it. Let me even disturb her the way she used to disturb me when I was there!”
On the state of women in politics, Patience used the platform to once again lend her voice to the 35 percent affirmative action, urging the National Assembly to stop sidelining women in governance.
“During Obasanjo’s time, we worked for it, and the Executive approved it. My husband continued with it. But when it comes to elections, the men push us out. May God touch their hearts — we are their mothers, sisters, and friends. We’re not trying to take their power, we’re here to support them.”
While accepting the award, Patience described it as a recognition of the collective effort of many women and men who continue to champion women’s health and economic empowerment across Nigeria.
She also highlighted the work of her foundations — the Aurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiative — which have provided skills training to thousands of women and youth and supported sick children who needed surgery abroad.
Accolade Dynamics Managing Director, Ms. Dofan Chizaram, praised the former First Lady’s decades of service, saying the award ceremony was aimed at celebrating those making a lasting impact in Nigeria and across Africa.
“This night is about celebrating the legends among us,” Chizaram said. “We want to honour those who have uplifted not just women, but the whole society — while they are still here with us.”
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