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2023: Plot for Jonathan presidency thickens as PDP men regroup

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Associates of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the south are tinkering with the idea of pushing his candidacy in the 2023 presidential race.

Their calculation is that the presidency can return to the North in 2027 since Jonathan, if he wins in 2023, will be ineligible to contest again.

Jonathan, who remains a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost his bid for a second term in 2015 when he was defeated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Political allies and former aides of the Bayelsa-born politician, The Nation gathered, recently met in Abuja to discuss the possibility of his contesting the 2023 presidential election.

Sources knowledgeable about the development said some prominent chieftains of the PDP have bought into the idea on account of the zoning principle.

Although the former president himself is yet to openly signify interest in the race, some of his allies, who do not want to be named, said discussions are ongoing following growing appeal from some prominent Nigerians and groups to him.

One of the sources said: “especially with the growing concern about zoning, we are discussing all possibilities. Political leaders and other stakeholders from the North and the South are talking about it.”

Sources also said the Abuja meeting was convened by two chieftains of the Southern Nigerian Consultative Forum (SNCF) possibly after discussions with the former president and his associates.

It was gathered that the plot to draft Jonathan into the race may not be unconnected with fears that the North plans to field candidates for the next presidential election contrary to the principle of rotating the presidency between the North and the South.

Said a source: “At the meeting were known supporters of the former president within and outside the PDP; including former governors, ministers, serving and former National Assembly members, among many others. They gathered to discuss the possibility and modalities of supporting Jonathan to run for the PDP ticket in 2023.

“From the discussion, it was obvious that PDP leaders, especially from the south, are determined to field a candidate that can win the next presidential election for the zone,” a former governor from the Southwest said while confirming moves by allies of the ex-president to position him for the race.

A former principal officer of the House of Representatives from the South confirmed moves to draft Jonathan into the race and said associates of the former president, realising the need for very wide consultation on the matter, recently met with some leaders of the Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Niger Delta on the matter.

According to him, some young northern members of the PDP are also interested in the Jonathan candidacy for certain reasons.

His words: “It was after our meeting with the elder statesmen that the Abuja meeting you talked about was convened. As I speak with you now, I can say consultation is ongoing.

“Also, there is this group of young northern PDP chieftains who are concerned about how perceived inequalities in the implementation of the zoning principle since 1999 can be corrected.

“These are the people pushing that Jonathan should come and do just one term in office and allow the North take another shot so the imbalance would be corrected.”

The Nation gathered that the Abuja meeting resolved to build a wider network of supporters for the project across the country within and outside the PDP with a view to convincing the leadership of the opposition party about the viability of the Jonathan candidacy.

“The first step towards the project has been taken. The crucial issues to address have been identified. What we are now to do is bring in more people into the movement and prepare the minds of as many of our leaders as possible for the project.”

Another source, a former principal officer of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, confirmed that some allies and associates of the former President have met with him to discuss the 2023 presidential race amidst growing concern over the zoning principle. “He is constitutionally qualified to run and that much we have told him,” he said.

Continuing, the source said: “that much he knows too. On whether he has decided to run or not, I cannot say specifically. But what I can tell you is that his supporters and others who believe in him are not leaving anything to chances as 2023 come nearer.

“Like every other groups interested in politics and governance across the country, we are strategising now more than ever before. I have met many northern politicians who are ready to support a Jonathan presidential ambition should he decide to run. I can tell you he is immensely popular here in the south. So, his candidacy will not come to anybody as a surprise. It is just that for now, nobody is allowed to say anything authoritatively on it,” he said.

The Nation

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El-Rufai’s defection a betrayal, but not irreversible – APC Professionals

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The APC Professional Network, an umbrella body for professionals within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as a major betrayal.

Despite his move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the group maintains that the situation is not beyond resolution.

In a statement released on Saturday, the group’s President-General, Victor Walsh Oluwafemi, emphasized El-Rufai’s significance within the APC, stating, “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has played a crucial role in the APC’s growth and governance objectives. His departure, coupled with his recent comments, is both unexpected and disappointing. It raises concerns about party loyalty, consistency, and the commitment needed to build a stronger APC.”

While acknowledging El-Rufai’s right to political association, Oluwafemi noted the impact of such moves on the party’s integrity and unity.

He reaffirmed the APC Professional Network’s dedication to the party’s core values of good governance, accountability, and development.

“As professionals within the APC, we urge our members and supporters to remain calm, focused, and resolute,” he said. “This development must not derail our collective mission of advancing the party’s agenda for a prosperous and united Nigeria, he said”.

The group further called on party leaders at all levels to reinforce internal cohesion and address concerns that could trigger further defections.
“Now, more than ever, the APC must demonstrate leadership, unity, and resolve,” Oluwafemi stressed.

He assured members that the network remains committed to strengthening the party and ensuring its continued success.

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CPDPL accuses Adeyanju of orchestrating smear campaign against FCT Minister Wike

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The Concerned PDP League (CPDPL) has raised the alarm over what it describes as a calculated and deliberate smear campaign against the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

According to the group, the campaign is aimed at setting President Bola Tinubu against the Minister.

The group specifically pointed an accusing finger at activist Barr. Deji Adeyanju.

In a statement jointly signed by the League’s National Secretary, Alhaji Tasiu Makila Muhammad, and its Acting Director of Publicity, Comrade Justina D. Dashi, the group alleged that Adeyanju has taken over the role of critic from Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, whom they accused of sponsoring baseless press conferences against the FCT Minister.

“Recall that Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere has benefited from sponsorship to fuel his propaganda campaign against the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Sim Fubara. Since the political tension in Rivers State began, Ugochinyere has exploited the situation for personal gain. However, our apex leader and group have consistently exposed his lies and propaganda, making Nigerians take his press conferences with a pinch of salt. But now, it appears there is a transition from him to Adeyanju.

“We have reliably gathered that Deji Adeyanju, either personally or through a proxy, is preparing to address a ‘State of the Nation’ press conference titled Akpabio vs. Natasha and Other Matters Arising at his Wuse 2 office at 9 AM tomorrow, Friday, March 14, 2025. However, he deliberately excluded the Rivers State issue from the announcement, despite planning to focus on it during the briefing. This is because the Rivers State Governor is allegedly funding the event.

“Nigerians may recall that the FCT Minister previously exposed Adeyanju’s hypocrisy, revealing how he once begged Wike to appoint him as the PDP National Publicity Secretary (NPS). Wike, in his characteristic manner, refused, stating that Adeyanju lacked the capacity for the position. That rejection was a major blow to Adeyanju, and since then, he has been determined to castigate Wike while working tirelessly to turn President Tinubu against him. His upcoming press conference is part of that agenda.

“We want to assure Adeyanju that his planned press conference, which he has misleadingly titled Akpabio vs. Natasha and Other Matters Arising but is actually meant to attack the FCT Minister, will be inconsequential and has already failed.

“Therefore, we urge Nigerians and the general public to disregard Adeyanju’s sponsored press conference tomorrow, which is aimed at tarnishing the Minister’s image before President Tinubu and the public. We also advise the Rivers State Governor that sponsoring propagandists and commercial activists will not improve his situation—one that Ugochinyere, his associates, and newfound allies have placed him in,” the statement read.

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Retired military officer, colonel Gbenga Adegbola, joins APC with 13,000 supporters

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A retired military officer, Colonel Gbenga Adegbola, along with over 13,000 supporters from Oyo State, has joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

The new entrants were received by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) at the party headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

Receiving the new party members, the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Umar Ganduje, unveiled the party’s blueprint for the South West, which he referred to as the winning formula of “political homogeneity.” He expressed optimism that the APC would take over the South West in 2027.

He said, “Our blueprint for the South West geo-political zone for 2027 is tagged ‘political homogeneity.’ In other words, for the South West, according to our blueprint, we will work hard, and with the help of Allah (SWT) and the people of the state, Oyo will be an APC state in 2027.

“Other states in the zone that are not yet under our control—Osun State, In Sha Allah—will also become APC states. That is what we mean by political homogeneity.”

Addressing newsmen at the media centre shortly after his reception into the party, Adegbola stated that he was ready to leverage his wealth of experience to contribute meaningfully to the progress of the APC.

He expressed his commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ programme and also affirmed that they (the new entrants) would work hard to ensure that Oyo State joins the ruling party by 2027.

He said, “I am wholeheartedly and highly committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. We will do everything possible to ensure that Oyo State becomes an APC state by 2027.

“We will put in all humanly possible efforts, by the special grace of God, to reach every nook and cranny of Oyo State. We have received assurances from the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

“He has given us his word and encouragement. That is why we thank the Almighty God for bringing us this far. In due course, you will be hearing more from us. I also want to thank the Oyo State executives who accompanied me to my reception by the NWC of our party.”

Adegbola was accompanied to the reception by members of the Oyo State Executive Committee of the APC, former Chief of Army Staff Gen. Tukur Buratai, former Minister of Communication Barr. Adebayo Shittu, and several party leaders from Oyo North.

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