A social reform group, The Crusader, has taken issue with former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan over her recent remarks regarding the upcoming 2027 presidential elections. The group contends that her time in office diminished the stature of the First Lady position.
The criticism follows Mrs. Jonathan’s announcement that she plans to campaign alongside current First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, while also stating she has no intentions of returning to Aso Rock. In a statement issued by spokesperson Adesola Babafemi, The Crusader emphasized that the decision regarding the 2027 elections rests solely with the Nigerian electorate—not with Mrs. Jonathan.
“Dame Patience knows very well that if her husband, former President Goodluck Jonathan, decides to run for the presidency in 2027, it is Nigerians who will determine his fate,” Babafemi stated. He acknowledged that while Jonathan may still enjoy some public support, “She will certainly never be the First Lady again, but people are ready to vote for him en masse.”
The group also commended Goodluck Jonathan’s current wife, describing her as “refined, humane, and cerebral,” and noted her legal background as well-suited for the role of First Lady.
In light of recent developments, Babafemi pointed out that the current administration has returned properties seized from Patience Jonathan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raising questions about her sudden alignment with the ruling party. “It is worth mentioning that the federal government has returned all properties seized from Dame Patience by the EFCC. This raises questions about her motivations and her alignment with the ruling party,” he noted.
The Crusader further urged Patience Jonathan to refrain from making public statements that imply she speaks on behalf of the former president. “We call on her to desist from implying that she is the spokesperson for the former president, a position she does not hold,” Babafemi asserted.
Reflecting on her tenure from 2010 to 2015, the group accused Patience Jonathan of undermining the dignity of the Office of the First Lady through what they described as “theatrical actions.” They added that Nigerians are “tired of her attempts to influence political discourse.”
“Her tenure ridiculed the Office of the First Lady, and it is time for the public to recognize that her past actions do not reflect the values we need in leadership today,” the group stated.
As the 2027 elections approach, The Crusader emphasized that the political future of the Jonathan family will be determined solely by the Nigerian people, regardless of any public declarations made by the former First Lady.
