At a recent event in Abuja, the former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan debunked news circulating on the social media of her husband returning to presidency, however she declared her support for the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ahead of the 2027 campaign, to ensure president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.

“We have no plans to return to Villa; rather I will campaign alongside the First Lady in 2027

“I didn’t just know her (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) just because she’s the First Lady, no. We worked together. We worked 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” Dame Jonathan avowed

This statement has drawn widespread outrage and condemnation across the country, especially in light of Dr. Jonathan’s recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Recall the former president Jonathan had condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning of the dangers of state capture and expressing concern over Nigeria’s gradual drift toward a one-party system.

Until now, Dr. Jonathan had maintained a dignified silence on national issues, a posture that had enhanced his stature as a statesman and preserved his standing within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he is still regarded as a potential presidential aspirant for 2027.

Some people on social media claimed President Tinubu boycotted the former first lady’s husband re-election in 2011 and wonder why she is showcasing her support for the ruling party.

According to @Oluwoleyahooco2: “Tinubu destroyed your husband second term agenda, Tinubu sponsored a protest against your husband on removal of subsidy, he was part of collation that remove your husband. Madam you have defected just to get back all that was ceased from you including properties in abuja .

@Akin_Malaolu: “Tinubu once called her husband a ‘Drunken Fisherman’ and I will never forget the reply of Jonathan than. He replied ” A Rascal”. The wife has no relevance just like Remi andvI have no fear that all the frightened chickens running into APC all have something to hide.”

@Remiolayinka1: “Thank you Patience . Tinubu and Akande informed SW to vote for Jonathan in 2011 this assisted him to defeat Buhari in that year while their candidate for their party Ribadu came distance third in that election.”

@UcheDec_: “Patience Jonathan support for incompetent Bola Tinubu means nothing in scheme of politics. She and her husband supported Tinubu in 2023 presidential election yet Tinubu did not win Bayelsa. However, I see these south South political elites supporting APC as anti Igbo people.”

@Gozie_Neme: “Aligning with Oluremi Tinubu, who faces mounting scrutiny, raises questions about her motives. Instead of supporting genuine leadership, she opts for the familiar comfort of political power. Shouldn’t her focus be on the people rather than plotting political gains? This move feels like a betrayal of trust.”

@AbimajeJoseph: “I would say same if I were to be Her,Atiku left her and her husband when they needed him the most in 2015, but supporting the Man who the idea of coalition that removed ur husband as the president is what I seem not to understand.”

@9jastreetlawyar: “So that they don’t collect all her illegally acquired assets all over the country. Good riddance to bad rubbish. No one wanted her back anyways. Enough of the comedies as a nation.”

By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth