₦airaland Forum

“Your Excellency, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, stay away from politics for now. Let them play their politics, don’t let them spoil the good name you have built.”

—Primate Ndukuba tells Former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He should take the back seat, he is not in any… pic.twitter.com/D0M465cYbw

— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )🇳🇬 (@emmaikumeh) May 16, 2026

I won’t go back to Aso Villa if the opportunity came again, the stress of Nigeria is so much — Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan admits

What a Friday ~ Ofoju Jo Wizzy ~ Burna
pic.twitter.com/naHJh5jHQ8

— JAGGY~UPDATE (@jaggyupdate) June 28, 2024

Video: I won't go back to Aso Villa, Nigeria's stress too much - Patience Jonathan

Former First Lady Patience Jonathan says she has no plans to return to the Presidential Villa, citing the overwhelming stress associated with being constantly in the public eye.

At a public event… pic.twitter.com/5Jp2nHKLHx

— Vanguard Newspapers (@vanguardngrnews) June 29, 2024

2027: I’m not returning to villa, I’ll campaign with Remi Tinubu — Patience Jonathan

11th May 2025

Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has ruled out any return to Aso Rock Villa, declaring instead that she will campaign alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ex-First Lady, known for her candid views, threw her weight behind the principle of rotational leadership, describing the “turn-by-turn” model as essential for national unity.

Jonathan disclosed this while acknowledging the President’s daughter and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, after receiving the Women Icon Leader of the Year award from Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja on Saturday night.

She said, “I was supposed to call her first, but I saved her for last: the daughter of our wonderful President, the President of Nigeria, the one and only we believe in — 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.”

Speaking further, she said she has a longstanding relationship with Remi Tinubu that predates their time in Aso Rock.

Jonathan also recalled how Remi Tinubu and the president supported her and her husband when they contested for the presidency in 2011.

She insisted that rather than return to Aso Rock, she would support the First Lady and her husband.

She said, “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.

“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. ”

She also threw her weight behind 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.”

Jonathan described the honour as a recognition of collective efforts in the advancement of women’s health and economic well-being.

She said, “I am deeply humbled to receive this prestigious Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 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.”

She highlighted the work of her NGOs—Aurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiative—which have empowered thousands of women and youth through skill acquisition programmes and supported children with critical health conditions requiring surgeries abroad.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and CEO of Accolade Dynamics, Ms. Dofan Chizaram described the night as a tribute to both men and women who have significantly impacted Nigeria and the African continent 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,” Tor said.

naptu2:
Every election season some people run a hoax that Dr Goodluck Jonathan will contest the election for president of Nigeria and Mr Akinwunmi Ambode will contest the election for governor of Lagos, even though it is quite obvious that both men are not contesting any elections.

In 2022 an unknown Fulani organisation bought APC presidential nomination form on behalf of Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Dr. Jonathan released a statement that he never told anyone to buy the form on his behalf and that it was insulting to buy the form without his knowledge, yet a nairalander was arguing with me and saying that Dr. Jonathan was going to contest and that his spokesman, who released the statement, did not know what was happening.

The stories have popped up again in 2026, even though Mrs Patience Jonathan categorically stated in 2025 that she and Dr Jonathan are not returning to the Villa.

A group went as far as going to stage a demonstration at his office in order to get him to contest, but Dr Jonathan's response was clear. He said that they were coming to tell him to contest, but he was sure that most of them did not even have voters card. Anyway, he said that he would consult widely.

Just yesterday, the Primate of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Grace, The Most Reverend Dr. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, advised Dr. Jonathan not to get involved in politics because it would stain his good name. Look at the body language of General Gowon, Dr. Jonathan and Archbishop Ndukuba.

“Your Excellency, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, stay away from politics for now. Let them play their politics, don’t let them spoil the good name you have built.”

—Primate Ndukuba tells Former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He should take the back seat, he is not in any… pic.twitter.com/D0M465cYbw

— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )🇳🇬 (@emmaikumeh) May 16, 2026

Similarly, when aspirants for the governorship of Lagos were visiting people to seek their endorsements, people kept asking me why Mr Akinwunmi Ambode had not visited anyone. I was wondering when Mr Ambode told them that he wanted to contest any election. Mr Ambode never showed interest in contesting any election, but people had spread so many stories.

This was the situation in 2022, it is the situation now in 2026 and I won't be surprised if some people run the same hoax again in 2030.

naptu2:
Every election season some people run a hoax that Dr Goodluck Jonathan will contest the election for president of Nigeria and Mr Akinwunmi Ambode will contest the election for governor of Lagos, even though it is quite obvious that both men are not contesting any elections.

In 2022 an unknown Fulani organisation bought APC presidential nomination form on behalf of Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Dr. Jonathan released a statement that he never told anyone to buy the form on his behalf and that it was insulting to buy the form without his knowledge, yet a nairalander was arguing with me and saying that Dr. Jonathan was going to contest and that his spokesman, who released the statement, did not know what was happening.

The stories have popped up again in 2026, even though Mrs Patience Jonathan categorically stated in 2025 that she and Dr Jonathan are not returning to the Villa.

A group went as far as going to stage a demonstration at his office in order to get him to contest, but Dr Jonathan's response was clear. He said that they were coming to tell him to contest, but he was sure that most of them did not even have voters card. Anyway, he said that he would consult widely.

Just yesterday, the Primate of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Grace, The Most Reverend Dr. Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, advised Dr. Jonathan not to get involved in politics because it would stain his good name. Look at the body language of General Gowon, Dr. Jonathan and Archbishop Ndukuba.

“Your Excellency, Former President Goodluck Jonathan, stay away from politics for now. Let them play their politics, don’t let them spoil the good name you have built.”

—Primate Ndukuba tells Former President Goodluck Jonathan.

He should take the back seat, he is not in any… pic.twitter.com/D0M465cYbw

— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )🇳🇬 (@emmaikumeh) May 16, 2026

Similarly, when aspirants for the governorship of Lagos were visiting people to seek their endorsements, people kept asking me why Mr Akinwunmi Ambode had not visited anyone. I was wondering when Mr Ambode told them that he wanted to contest any election. Mr Ambode never showed interest in contesting any election, but people had spread so many stories.

This was the situation in 2022, it is the situation now in 2026 and I won't be surprised if some people run the same hoax again in 2030.

naptu2:
Some people say that Atiku supporters (like Emma IK Umeh in the first post) want Dr. Jonathan to contest because he would split southern votes and reduce Tinubu and Obi's votes.

However, I suspect that we'll still get the same rumours that Jonathan and Ambode are contesting elections in 2031.

Mmaduise:
Two big losers of all time

AbosedeFalade:
This is one of the most meaningless threads I have come across on Nairaland. A thread like this makes no sense in the reason sense of sense. You simply want to massage you ego, citing a statement like "...yet a nairalander was arguing with me and saying that Dr. Jonathan was going to contest and that his spokesman, who released the statement, did not know what was happening"

OredoPikin:
The rumour wont fly in 2030 except Atiku win 2027

AbosedeFalade:
This is one of the most meaningless threads I have come across on Nairaland. A thread like this makes no sense in the real sense of sense. You simply want to massage your ego, citing a statement like "...yet a nairalander was arguing with me and saying that Dr. Jonathan was going to contest and that his spokesman, who released the statement, did not know what was happening"

Gotocourt:
You don't want founder of Lagos to be challenged.🤷🏿

JASONjnr:
When Buhari said the youths are very lazy, I didn't understand that phrase then......


Nigeria and it's youths are so full of drama and will do anything to divert attention.

Every election seasons, GEJ will have to debunk the intention portrayed on social media.

They should allow this man to rest, if he was that good, they wouldn't have kicked him out in the first place.

naptu2:
That's why it's so great and wonderful that your opinion does not really matter at all.

AbosedeFalade:
Unfortunately for you, my opinion matters to people that matter online and offline. Unfortunately, a wannabe nairaland local champion like you cannot be counted as one of the people that matters.

lawani:
The only way GEJ can contest is if the Fulani go to beg him to contest and if they do that they are only preparing the ground for a civil war

naptu2:
🤣 Yet your opinion still doesn't matter and cannot make any difference. All you can do is wail online, but it still won't change anything.

I wish you happy wailing.

AbosedeFalade:
This is one of the most meaningless threads I have come across on Nairaland. A thread like this makes no sense in the real sense of sense. You simply want to massage your ego, citing a statement like "...yet a nairalander was arguing with me and saying that Dr. Jonathan was going to contest and that his spokesman, who released the statement, did not know what was happening"

aswani:
I am not going to defend naptu2, as baba can do that himself if he so wishes, but you clearly don't know the poster or understand his style of writing to come to the conclusion. He has no reason to massage his ego on here and the thread makes a lot of sense.

Also, you did not read the screenshots he took of the said poster arguing needlessly with him. Pay particular attention to the last exchange they had where the other poster claimed he knew more that GEJ's own staff about what GEJ planned to do and what meetings he has had or wants to have.

AdolfHitlerxXx:
If GEJ dares contest, he will be beaten black and blue.

He too knows. He was clueless as a President but not that clueless.

After all, he has a fake PhD and not a 3rd Class

AbosedeFalade:
This is one of the most meaningless threads I have come across on Nairaland. A thread like this makes no sense in the real sense of sense. You simply want to massage your ego, citing a statement like "...yet a nairalander was arguing with me and saying that Dr. Jonathan was going to contest and that his spokesman, who released the statement, did not know what was happening"

AbosedeFalade:
Keep quite and look for your fellow small people like him to continue your nonsense with.