Speculations former President, Goodluck Jonathan could return to power in 2023 under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) gained even greater momentum on Monday after another group under the aegis of Citizens Network for Peace and Development (CNPD) called on the leadership of APC to hand him the Presidential ticket of the party or risk losing the election.
Addressing Journalists in Abuja on Monday, CNPD National Coordinator, Okorie Raphael said Jonathan’s “acceptance” would enable APC win the general elections.
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According to him, the return of Jonathan would provide a favourable environment for national engagement and dialogue.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan reflects national acceptance that will give impetus to APC’s victory in 2023 elections. As vanguards for Nigeria’s development, peace and unity, we want to reiterate that our beloved country cannot afford to have a regional champion as a flagbearer,” the coordinator said.
“It is a thing of pride that a man of the calibre of Dr Abdullahi Adamu is the National chairman of APC. A man that has never lost an election, a man of strong character, a disciplined and astute administrator, a firm and focused leader and the man whose emergence further strengthened the party without a single defection as predicted by prophets of doom.
“Therefore, it is imperative that Dr Aadmu will use the best man for the job to win this election bearing in mind that anything short of a GEJ ticket will cost APC the presidency in 2023.”
Raphael therefore called on the
National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC led by its National, Chairman Abdullahi Adamu to provide level playing field for Jonathan when he declares his interest to run.
“We want to remind the party that its ultimate responsibility is to ensure that the party fills the best candidate that can win the election. The party needs an asset rather than a liability. Jonathan’s political credentials will increase the chance of APC winning the presidential elections in 2023,” he said.
“We call on our father, the father of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari to endorse the Jonathan project because of his experience and the need for continuity. The two enjoy the most cordial relationship that had ever existed between an incumbent and his immediate predecessor.
“We strongly call on President Jonathan to listen to the numerous calls and observe the political mood across Nigeria to contest the 2023 election.”
Jonathan is yet to declare a presidential bid. His return would certainly alter political calculations within the APC that defeated him in 2015 and even in his
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that made him President.
Jonathan was Nigeria’s President for six years under PDP from 2009 to 2015 when he lost to incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari in a massive campaign of change that pitched him as “clueless and fantastically” corrupt.
(Editor: Omor Bazuaye)
