Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has advised her husband, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, against contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking at a recent women’s programme, Mrs Jonathan said the demands of leading Nigeria are overwhelming and that no former leader should attempt a return to Aso Rock after leaving office.

“The stress of Nigeria is so much. If God has managed to bring you out of it, you should glorify Him. He has taken you there once; why do you want to go there again? I won’t go o,” she said.

Her remarks have been interpreted by many as a subtle response to growing speculation about a possible Jonathan comeback bid in 2027. Some political groups have recently floated his name as a potential consensus candidate, arguing that he could serve only one term if elected.

However, Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert, has dismissed such reports, describing them as deliberate attempts to plant stories ahead of the election. He urged the media to exercise caution, stressing that the former president has not declared any interest in returning to office.

In 2023, Dame Patience openly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, promising to campaign with them if needed. She recalled that the Tinubus stood by her husband during his successful 2011 campaign.

Goodluck Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, lost his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari by over 2.5 million votes. Since then, speculation about his political future has resurfaced periodically, especially in the buildup to major elections.

For now, the former first lady’s comments appear to reflect a strong personal stance against any political comeback, underscoring the intense pressures that come with Nigeria’s highest office.