Patience Jonathan Reflects on Stress-Free Life Post-Presidency

Patience Jonathan, the wife of former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, shared that she feels younger and more rejuvenated since leaving the presidential villa. Speaking at a colloquium organized for the 60th anniversary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), she emphasized the immense stress associated with life in the villa and expressed no desire to return.

“The stress of Nigeria is too much. If you call me now for the villa, I won’t go there. I won’t. Don’t you see how young I am? The stress is so much. The stress of Nigeria is so much,” she said.

Reflecting on the 2015 presidential election, Patience Jonathan revealed that she did not encourage her husband to cling to power after his defeat to Muhammadu Buhari. She highlighted the importance of peace and the prevention of bloodshed, stating, “When we failed the election, I was with him (Jonathan). We were in the room when we were told you had lost. I did not whisper to him that he must stay. Because we will shed blood. Innocent people will die. And who will be the person we don’t know. It might be you, it might be me. It might be my brother or sister. We don’t need anybody to die. We’re brothers and sisters. We are one country.”

Patience Jonathan’s remarks underscored the stress and challenges of the presidency, while also highlighting the importance of peaceful transitions and unity in Nigeria.