Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has affirmed full support for First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as the nation heads toward the 2027 general elections.

Naija News reports that Jonathan, while speaking on Saturday night in Abuja, where she received the Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award from Accolade Dynamics Limited, declared she has no intention of returning to Aso Rock.

She reaffirmed her support for the principle of rotational leadership, describing the turn-by-turn system as vital to maintaining national unity.

Reflecting on her longstanding bond with Tinubu’s wife, Jonathan revealed that their relationship dates back to their days as wives of state governors and deputies, long before either entered Aso Rock.

She reiterated her commitment to standing by the First Lady and dismissed any speculation about a political comeback.

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.

“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.”

Patience Jonathan also acknowledged Tinubu’s daughter, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, for supporting women.

She added, “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.”

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has reversed his earlier opposition and declared full support for the upcoming national security summit being organised by the National Assembly.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Badaru described the summit as “a timely initiative to tackle Nigeria’s growing security concerns” and pledged active participation in the two-day event.

The suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has distanced himself from reinstatement calls, stating his spirit no longer aligns with the position.

Fubara, during the service of songs held in honour of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, organised by the Rivers Elders Forum on Sunday, said he is not desperate to return to office.

Naija News learnt that several speakers at the event had referred to Fubara as the ‘Governor’ and strongly criticised his suspension, calling for immediate reversal.

In response, Fubara dismissed the opinions, stating that such comments would not likely promote peace.

Fubara hinted at his preference for a more strategic and less confrontational approach to the ongoing political crisis in the state.

He further warned that some of the actions taken by some of his supporters, though well-intended, had only worsened his situation.

He said, “Not everything is by oshogbe. Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit has already left there.”

Fubara also urged the attendees to focus on the tribute of Edwin Clark, who lived a selfless life advocating for the Niger Delta region and not make it about politics.