Some sources in the All Progressives Congress (APC), have revealed that the two northern governors, close to President Muhammadu Buhari, have secured the buy-in of a section of the presidency to actualise their agenda of drafting the former president Goodluck Jonathan into the presidential race.
An APC insider recently claimed that some governors from the north are actually behind the return bid of Jonathan.
Also, the newspaper’s investigations reveal that some power brokers in the party have secured the support of a section of the presidency to actualise this plan, having sold the idea to President Muhammadu Buhari .
The sources said the two governors began the moves last year but that they jettisoned it to promote the candidature of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
However, when the Emefiele’s project was not flying, the governors returned to the Jonathan bid.
Meanwhile, the supporters of Goodluck Johnathan, under the aegis of Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria (CNPDN), says arrangements were being perfected for the formal defection of the former president to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
ThisDay reported that the leaders of the CNPDN stated this while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, April 25.
They assured Nigerians that Jonathan will definitely run for the 2023 general election.
Speaking on their behalf, the convener, Okeke Raphael, said the APC may not win the 2023 presidential election if it refuses to field Jonathan.
Okeke said:“Jonathan is going to contest and win if APC gives its ticket to him. Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari have worked together closely. That’s something good for Nigeria. Jonathan has been the biggest promoter of Buhari’s foreign policy.
“If APC gives its ticket to Jonathan, every Nigerian will vote for him.He’s the only nationalist among all the contestants and that will work well for APC.
He urged the leadership of the ruling APC to ensure that Jonathan is provided with a level playing ground to contest the 2023 general election.
The group’s convener noted that Jonathan’s political credentials will increase the chance of APC winning the presidential elections in 2023.
The group also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to endorse Jonathan because of his experience and the need for continuity.
In another report, Governor Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State says, he may consider dropping his presidential ambition if the immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, declares to run for the position.
Governor Muhammed said he may take the decision out of respect for the ex-president who is his former boss.
The Bauchi state governor disclosed this on Sunday night, April 24, while appearing as a guest on Channels Television.
Recalls that Governor Mohammed served as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Jonathan administration.
Muhammed said if ex-President Jonathan joins the race, it would pose a big problem for him.
He said: “He is one of those persons I respect most in this country. He is the most respected person I have because I emerged and came to national limelight through him.
Certainly I have come to establish a family relationship with him and to me, he cannot be in the race and I will be in the race, out of respect and modesty.
“I have given him enough time and he has urged me to go ahead and I have gone ahead and even gotten another burden now; the mandate of my elders to continue. So if Jonathan is running, it is a very big problem to me.”
