All seems to be set for former President Goodluck Jonathan to officially declare his intention to contest the 2023 presidency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered yesterday that Jonathan may have yielded to pressure from some big wigs of the governing party, close allies of the presidency to join the APC and join the race to clinch the party’s presidential ticket.
Groups and individuals have also been mounting pressure on the former president to contest the 2023 presidential poll.
Supporters of the former Nigerian leader, made up of men, women and youths, yesterday morning thronged his Abuja office, insisting that he must declare his intention to run for the 2023 presidency.
Jonathan who was holding a meeting with his committee of friends who visited him at his Foundation office at Taraba Crescent, Maitama, at the time the supporters stormed the place in protest did not categorically tell them that he would declare for the presidency.
Instead, he covertly asked the supporters to watch out, saying the political process was still in progress.
“I cannot declare because some processes are still ongoing. Yes, you are calling on me to come and declare for the next election. I cannot tell you I’m declaring. The political process is ongoing; just watch out. The key role you must play is that Nigeria must get somebody that will carry young people along,” Jonathan stated while addressing the supporters in front of the gate to his office.
But reliable sources close to the former president told our correspondent yesterday evening that arrangement has been concluded for the former president to defect to the APC and join other aspirants jostling for the presidential ticket ahead of the party’s presidential primary billed to hold on May 30 and 31, 2022.
Confirming the development, one of the sources who did not want his name in print, said, “It is not all about former President Jonathan. The forces that be in APC are the ones asking him to run for the presidency under the party’s platform. I think he is just waiting for the process to be finalised before declaring officially.
“We all know that the former president cannot take such a decision at this dying moment to throw his has in the ring of a party he would be dealing with as a new entrant and expect to get the ticket of the highest office in the country.”
It was also learnt that the APC is planning to grant the former president waiver as a new entrant to participate in the party’s presidential primary.
The NWC of the APC, in exercising the power of NEC in accordance with the party’s constitution may grant and approve waiver as soon as it is requested by the ward executive for the former president to participate in all activities of the APC such as voting and be voted for in any of the intra party elections ahead of the 2023 polls”, a party source told LEADERSHIP Weekend last night.


Meanwhile, the supporters holding placards with inscriptions such as “run Jonathan run”, “Jonathan you are a good man”, “Jonathan, you’re the only voice of the masses we know”, and “Jonathan you must run”, “run Goodluck run”, “declare now, Goodluck”, “you must run”, “you are wasting our time, declare now”, among others contended that the former president remains their only hope for a better future.
The Coalition of Northern Youths, other youth and women groups from across the federation were part of the visit.
They took over the entire Taraba Street and other adjoining streets, up to the Farmer’s Market in Maitama, chanting songs in praise of Jonathan.
After about 2 hours, the former president who came out of his office to address them said he was still in the process of consulting and would soon make his decision to either contest or not public.
Jonathan urged his supporters to continue to pray for peace and unity of the country and that God should provide the right candidate to lead the country.
He noted that the visit, especially by the youths, was an indication that they were really interested in the country’s political affairs, just as he implored them to be key players in the country’s politics to enthrone good governance.
Jonathan said, “As youths, we must get involved in the country’s political process and luckily the law of `Not too Young to Run’ bill has made it clear that youths can contest almost every position in government. We will continue to encourage youths to get involved in the country’s political process.
“And as long as many youths get involved in the political process, we will be able to get the government we want”.
He noted that even though some of the country’s present challenges date back to past administration, they can be confronted frontally from a united front.
“But the key role you must play is to pray that Nigeria gets a president that will carry the young people along and work very hard to see that some of the country’s problems raised are dealt with. I believe that collectively, we can work together,’’ he said.
Earlier, leader of the Youth Compatriots of Nigeria, Mayor Samuel, told journalists that they were ready to support Jonathan to ensure that he returns to Aso Rock as the country’s next president in 2023.
Condemning the growing insecurity in the country and the dwindling economy, Samuel said there is the need to address the situation.
He stated that the Nigeria Peoples Party was ready to give Jonathan its presidential ticket to contest the 2023 presidential election, adding that though the party is not registered yet, it belongs to the downtrodden.
Noting that any party that gives its presidential ticket to Jonathan would get the support of all Nigerians, he said, “The secret to good governance is what Nigeria requires at the moment, Jonathan has been tested and proven and we are ready to follow him.”
Also, one of the youth leaders, Jonathan Akumobi, said they were in Maitama to compel Jonathan to run because they believe in his capabilities, considering his past experience.
Akumobi said that a lot of challenges being experienced in all sectors require an experienced hand like Jonathan to tackle.
“We are tired of the killings, of the insecurity, our schools are closed because of strike, the national grid has been collapsing; everything in Nigeria is challenged.
“The prices of food items have gone up, during Jonathan’s administration, we were buying a bag of rice for N7,000, today it is N35,000; we need Jonathan back to help return to the good old days because we are tired of the excuses,’’ he stated.

This is unbelievable

Jonathan should respect himself and rest as the statesman he is

I supported him against Buhari
I can't support him for the next election
Especially not in this party of lies and deceit

We need fresh blood not recycled people

Gej in Apc will alter so many things in race to 2023..
I wish he won’t fall for this ... but if Apc succeeds with him as candidate.. hmmm

Right now the Majority in the North wants him .. he’s the only option from the south to the Northern..
Peter Obi ...

The Yoruba people are in a long thing with their media noise , propaganda and hype.

A.m. after what they will do if their men no get party candinate in Apc or President in 2023

Next is how many votes yorub people will be coming with and how they will divide it between parties and their god

MMWandali:
Jonathan should respect himself and rest as the statesman he is

I supported him against Buhari
I can't support him for the next election
Especially not in this party of lies and deceit

We need fresh blood not recycled people

You have just one vote ..

Can you mobilize a 300 sure votes?

I never rated Jonathan highly.
It's the abysmal rule of the cattle rearer that has made GEJ look like a competent ruler,but if indeed GEJ decides to run for the presidency,under any party, particularly under the demonic party,against the formidable machinery and war chest of Tinubu,it would only go to confirm my view that Jonathan is not that bright a person.
For all Tinubu's faults,GEJ cannot defeat him in a primary election of any mode and he doesn't possess that much valuable a capital to defeat him nationally.
He is just like Osinbajo,being deceived by people with their propaganda about whatever qualities they are made to possess.

......The Scientist is Here......

Oneday, Nigeria will get it right.

Mr president just declare we are all waiting ,for the word and instantly every soul would return to deliver. nobody can stop what the Gods have decided.

APC and propaganda are like bread and butter

God1000:
This is unbelievable

forget about all this propaganda APC is just looking for what they will use to win in bayelsa in 2023 and nothing more.

Asgard73:
Gej in Apc will alter so many things in race to 2023..
I wish he won’t fall for this ... but if Apc succeeds with him as candidate.. hmmm

Right now the Majority in the North wants him .. he’s the only option from the south to the Northern..
Peter Obi ...

The Yoruba people are in a long thing with their media noise , propaganda and hype.

A.m. after what they will do if their men no get party candinate in Apc or President in 2023

Next is how many votes yorub people will be coming with and how they will divide it between parties and their god

the problem with you yamirin is that you talk too much and quickly jump to react to everything you read or hear, that's why you are eventually miscalculating and totally irrelevant in Nigeria politics of today.

You guys started shouting about ameachi concensus candidacy, so much you did not allow us hear word. Even when you people didn't know the real grand plan of the APC and the cabas. So when eventually APC make thier game plan obvious that nothing like anointed candidate, you people were so confused and immediately jump off ameachi.

Now its oga jona. You have started shouting about Jonathan gaain. So later when APC eventually reveal thier plan to you guys I don't know where will remain for you people to jump to. Perverted miscreants of iPod

It's obvious Jonathan is interested, these guys see Jonathan as a very primitive person if not how on earth will somebody disgraced out of office by the same party luring him so that he can come and spend 4 years so that the northerners can take over after, how would apc even sell him after telling the whole world that is regime was a disaster, for Jonathan to even listen at all, it shows he is very incompetent and naive, I know some vampires had really gone to meet him but unfortunately for them buhari will just tell him, you are welcome like others who are contesting. Yeye dey smell.

Oga Joe why Broom party nao.. U no fit pick horse power instead or broiler chicken party

shigishege:
the problem with you yamirin is that you talk too much and quickly jump to react to everything you read or hear, that's why you are eventually miscalculating and totally irrelevant in Nigeria politics of today.

You guys started shouting about ameachi concensus candidacy, so much you did not allow us hear word. Even when you people didn't know the real grand plan of the APC and the cabas. So when eventually APC make thier game plan obvious that nothing like anointed candidate, you people were so confused and immediately jump off ameachi.

Now its oga jona. You have started shouting about Jonathan gaain. So later when APC eventually reveal thier plan to you guys I don't know where will remain for you people to jump to. Perverted miscreants of iPod

I agree

Jonathan declaring under Apc will destroy him more cos’ he will be disgrace heavily in Apc. Besides GEJ said he’s not interested in presidency. Let’s keep our fingers crossed in the matter of days.

shigishege:
the problem with you yamirin is that you talk too much and quickly jump to react to everything you read or hear, that's why you are eventually miscalculating and totally irrelevant in Nigeria politics of today.

You guys started shouting about ameachi concensus candidacy, so much you did not allow us hear word. Even when you people didn't know the real grand plan of the APC and the cabas. So when eventually APC make thier game plan obvious that nothing like anointed candidate, you people were so confused and immediately jump off ameachi.

Now its oga jona. You have started shouting about Jonathan gaain. So later when APC eventually reveal thier plan to you guys I don't know where will remain for you people to jump to. Perverted miscreants of iPod

Gej has been an option in the North for long and this moniker have always said it .. and Apc is about taking advantage of that..
Apc have no political option this time .. they’ve failed .
I Dey talk BecAuse for North like this .. Apc no be option ...

For them to even reason Gej since last year June and still putting pressure may 2022..

Check the moniker again ...
Asgard not be yamari or you people ..

I know you be yoruba man.. and you think like Yoruba people

Na why your Yorubatic narratives is lost..

Yoruba sef

Asgard73:


Gej has been an option in the North for long and this moniker have always said it .. and Apc is about taking advantage of that..
Apc have no political option this time .. they’ve failed .
I Dey talk BecAuse for North like this .. Apc no be option ...

For them to even reason Gej since last year June and still putting pressure may 2022..

Check the moniker again ...

this easterners supposed relationship with the north nowadays is something wonderful oo. So an average in can think of something good coming from the north. Wonderful!! There nothing politics can't do oo. But I hope after may 30, there won't be insults from you people to the north again.

An average Easterner can do anything to get anything Sha.

He will regret ever doing that