According to Nigerian Tribune, a social advocacy organization known as The Crusader has stated that it is ultimately Nigerians—not Dame Patience Jonathan, the immediate past First Lady—who will determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections.
This position was made clear in response to recent remarks by Dame Jonathan, in which she pledged to campaign alongside the current First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and emphasized she had no desire to return to Aso Rock, Nigeria’s presidential residence.
In a formal statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, Adesola Babafemi, The Crusader reiterated that the future of former President Goodluck Jonathan, should he decide to run again for the presidency, rests solely in the hands of the Nigerian electorate.
According to Babafemi, “Dame Patience knows very well that if her husband decides to run for the presidency in 2027, he will receive overwhelming support from Nigerians. However, she will certainly never be First Lady again, but the people are ready to vote for him en masse.”
The group did not shy away from drawing a contrast between Patience Jonathan and Goodluck Jonathan’s younger wife.
The Crusader commended the latter as “a refined, humane, and cerebral woman who fits perfectly into the role of First Lady,” suggesting a preference for her style and public demeanor over that of Dame Patience, who was more controversial during her time in office.
In addition to evaluating personalities, the group also touched on recent government actions concerning Dame Patience.
They referred to the federal government’s decision to return properties previously confiscated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raising questions about her political affiliations and suggesting that her loyalty to the current ruling party may be self-serving.
This, they implied, might be part of a broader strategy to align herself with those currently in power.
The Crusader also expressed concern about Dame Jonathan’s recent public comments, particularly her tendency to make statements that appear to speak on behalf of her husband.
The group found this problematic and issued a warning: “We call on her to desist from implying that she is the spokesperson for the former president, a position she does not hold,” Babafemi stated.
They urged her to separate her personal views from any official political stance attributed to her husband.
Finally, the group did not mince words in their criticism of Dame Patience’s past tenure as First Lady, which spanned from 2010 to 2015.
They described her period in office as “theatrical” and said it had a negative impact on the dignity and seriousness traditionally associated with the role of First Lady.
The Crusader emphasized the centrality of the Nigerian people in the democratic process and cautioned Dame Jonathan against assuming any political authority or influence beyond her current status.
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