The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has rallied behind former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, saying the backlash that trailed her recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term is both “needless and unfair.”
In a statement released on Monday and co‑signed by the council’s National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, and National Secretary, Comrade Obinna Achionye, the youth wing of the Igbo socio‑cultural organisation insisted that Jonathan like every Nigerian enjoys an inviolable right to support any candidate she pleases.
“Freedom of political association is guaranteed by the Constitution,” the leaders noted. “Dame Patience Jonathan has merely exercised that right, and nobody should vilify her for it.”
Why the fuss?
Last week, the former First Lady publicly signalled her intention to campaign for Tinubu in 2027, stressing that she had “no wish to return to the Villa” a remark that sparked sharp reactions on social media and from some opposition supporters.
Critics accused her of betraying the legacy of her husband, ex‑President **Goodluck Jonathan**, and abandoning the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Others questioned the timing of her declaration, coming barely a year into Tinubu’s current tenure.
Ohanaeze Youths: “Live and let live”
The Ohanaeze Youth Council dismissed those attacks as politically motivated:
“Anyone uncomfortable with her choice can canvass for a different candidate; that is how democracy works,” the statement read.
They lauded Jonathan as “one of Nigeria’s most compassionate First Ladies,” citing her charity work and advocacy for women and children.
The group urged her to ignore “paid social‑media trolls” and remain focused on her philanthropic initiatives.
A wider conversation on political freedom
The controversy underscores a broader Nigerian dilemma: how to balance vibrant political debate with respect for individual freedom of choice. Constitutional lawyer Sebastian Nwankwo, speaking to journalists, pointed out that former public officials often endure “extra scrutiny” because their endorsements carry significant weight.
“Yet the law is clear citizens, past or present office‑holders, retain full political rights,” Nwankwo said. “Dame Jonathan’s endorsement is legal, whether people like it or not.”
What lies ahead?
Jonathan’s influence: With a nationwide support base built during her years in office, her backing could help Tinubu woo voters in the South‑South and among women.
Opposition strategy: The PDP and Labour Party may intensify outreach to high‑profile figures in response, aiming to project unity ahead of 2027.
Civic discourse: Civil‑society groups are calling for a more tolerant online environment, warning that intimidation discourages healthy political participation.
For now, the former First Lady has not issued a direct reply to her detractors. But the Ohanaeze youths’ emphatic defence sends a clear message: in a democracy, even the most recognisable voices must be free to choose and to be heard without fear of mob censure.
Post a Comment