The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has dismissed as baseless the criticisms directed at former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, over her endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Dame Jonathan recently declared her support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, stating that she had no intention of returning to Aso Rock and would rather back Tinubu. Her comments have since drawn backlash from sections of the public.
However, the Ohanaeze youths have risen in her defence, declaring that the ex-First Lady had the right to support any politician of her choice.
In a statement signed by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, and National Secretary, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the group described those attacking Dame Jonathan as “misplaced aggressors.”
The group said it was within the right of the former First Lady “to support any politician of her choice, just like any other Nigerian. There is freedom of choice guaranteed by Nigeria’s Constitution and natural laws. What the former First Lady, Her Excellency Dame Patience Jonathan, is doing is to exercise that right of choice.
“Anyone who is not comfortable with her choice is also at liberty to pitch a tent with any other politician of their choice. Those against her should have a rethink and allow Dame Patience to be; she remains one of the finest and caring First Ladies ever produced in Nigeria.
“Her passion and commitment towards the welfare of the downtrodden in this country remains unparalleled. Quite glaring is also her large followership, which cuts across every part of the country and beyond, and has remained so, even years after she left office.
“So, those against her political decision should be brave enough to name the person they are supporting.”
The Igbo youth organisation urged Dame Jonathan to ignore those “whose antics is to use social media and abuse anyone who shares different political opinions as their paymasters.”