The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has thrown its weight behind former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, following public criticism over her recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Dame Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s First Lady from 2010 to 2015, had declared her support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, stating that she had no interest in returning to Aso Rock and preferred to back the incumbent leader. Her remarks have sparked widespread debate and backlash from some quarters.
Reacting in a statement issued on Monday, the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization described the criticisms as baseless and unwarranted. The statement, signed by the group’s National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, affirmed Dame Jonathan’s constitutional right to support any political figure of her choice.
“Those attacking Dame Jonathan are simply misplaced aggressors,” the statement read. “It is well within her right, just like any other Nigerian, to align with any politician she believes in. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of association and choice.”
The group praised the former First Lady’s legacy, describing her as “one of the finest and most caring First Ladies ever produced in Nigeria,” and highlighted her dedication to the welfare of the underprivileged.
“Her passion for the downtrodden remains unmatched,” the statement continued. “Her enduring popularity across Nigeria and beyond is a testament to her impact and genuine concern for the people, even years after leaving office.”
The Igbo youth body urged critics to respect her right to political expression and challenged them to openly declare their own preferred candidates instead of attacking others for their choices.
“Those uncomfortable with her political stance should simply support their own candidates and stop the attacks,” the group said. “They must stop hiding behind social media to insult anyone who dares to think differently from their paymasters.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council concluded by encouraging Dame Jonathan to remain steadfast in her convictions and ignore detractors, reaffirming that all Nigerians are entitled to their political beliefs without fear of intimidation or abuse.
