Politics
2023: Plot for Jonathan presidency thickens as PDP men regroup
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
A pressure group, Action Collective, has urged Nigerians to disregard rumors that the Federal High Court has lifted its order restraining the Senate from probing Senator Natasha Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Goodwill Akpabio.
In a statement signed on Thursday by Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the Kogi-based group reaffirmed that the court order remains in effect. According to them, instead of vacating it, the court provided further clarification on the case.
They explained that the court had not yet considered Senator Uduaghan’s request for a mandatory injunction but had instead addressed a motion filed by the Senate on March 17, 2025.
The group noted that in spite of the restraining order, the Senate proceeded with its investigation and ultimately pronounced a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha.
“They equally filed an application, which was vehemently opposed by the Plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Numa, SAN, who emphasized the Senate’s contemptuous actions in defying the Court’s orders.
“Numa argued that the Senate was not entitled to any further orders from the same court it had disrespected.
“After standing down the matter for a few hours, the Judge returned to deliver a ruling, offering clarification on the scope of Order 4. Contrary to the interpretation sought by the 2nd Defendant (the Senate), that the restraining order was meant to halt the entire legislative function of the Senate, the Court noted that the National Assembly had been carrying out its legislative functions without any hindrance.
“The Court further clarified that, owing to the varying interpretations of the order, it would set aside only the consequential aspects of Order 4, which was merely meant to give effect to the predicate orders.”
The group declared that contrary to false reports, “The Court did not set aside Orders 1, 2, or 3, which include the orders restraining the Senate’s Ethics Committee from continuing its investigation into the Plaintiff’s alleged conduct while the Motion for an Interlocutory Injunction remains pending.
“Additionally, the Court did not reverse its directive for the Defendants to show cause within 72 hours or overturn the order to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
“The Court’s decision only involved the clarification of Order 4 due to the differing interpretations presented by the Defendants.
“The matter was subsequently adjourned to March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the substantive dispute.
“We use this medium to assure the general public that justice shall prevail, even as we urge everyone to disregard the misinformation in circulation,” the group clarified.
Some leaders from opposition parties in the country have announced the formation of a coalition aimed at removing President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, made the announcement while addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by top opposition figures, including Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko; former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Peter Ameh, among others.
It was announced that some notable figures were absent but had taken permission, including former governors of Rivers and Ekiti states, Rotimi Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi, as well as the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu.
When asked if the gathering marked the beginning of a coalition of political parties for the 2027 election, Atiku responded with a clear “Yes.”
A coalition of concerned leaders and political stakeholders in Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The leaders made this demand during a joint press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Among those present at the meeting were former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko. Also in attendance was former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Other notable figures, including former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, former Governor of Ekiti State Kayode Fayemi, and former Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, were unable to attend but had formally excused their absence.
Describing Fubara’s suspension and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as unconstitutional and illegal, the coalition urged President Tinubu to reinstate the governor and his deputy without delay.
Furthermore, they called on the judiciary to invalidate the suspension, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used arbitrarily to remove elected governors in the future.
“Mr. President’s illegal and unconstitutional proclamation was presumably driven by the protracted insidious political crisis in Rivers State, which culminated in the recent ruling of the Supreme Court. Naturally, we expected all parties to the dispute to follow laid-down procedures, and in good faith, to promptly implement the judgment of the highest court of the land. We note that despite provocative statements and the belligerent attitude of his opponents, Governor Fubara had demonstrated goodwill and appeared disposed to implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court,” the leaders said.
They accused President Tinubu of acting out of bias and neglecting his constitutional duty to be fair to all Nigerians.
“However, rather than rise above the fray, the president yielded to petty favouritism and betrayed the oath that he solemnly swore to before God and man, which was to ‘do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.’ If President Tinubu had conveniently disguised his true intentions in the past, his broadcast to the nation on 18th March 2025 betrayed his bias and fell far below the standard of comportment expected from his exalted office,” they noted.
The coalition called on Nigerians to resist what they described as an undemocratic act by the federal government.
According to them, “Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR. We recall that even when a previous administration declared a state of emergency in parts of the country plagued by insurgency and terrorism, the governors of the affected states were not removed from office. This action by President Tinubu, therefore, represents a new low for our country.”
They warned against the potential consequences of political instability in the Niger Delta, reminding the government of the historical unrest in the region.
“Past administrations made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to Nigeria’s economic health. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to a past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good,” they said.
The coalition insisted that the suspension must be reversed to uphold the rule of law and preserve Nigeria’s democracy.
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