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Category: Politics

Borno conducts LGA council elections today Saturday, November 28, 2020
By Dauda R Pam Maiduguri
Borno State Independent Electoral Commission (BOSIE ), has concluded arrangements to conduct chairmanship and councillorship Elections in 24 out of the 27 local councils except three that are no go areas in terms of Bokoharam terrorists activities, that have poised severe security challenges.

To this effect, the Borno state police command has warned all candidates and political party leaders against thuggery and other acts of violence capable of hindering the successful conduct of the elections.
A statement issued, Thursday, by the Police Command PPRO, DSP Edet Okon, said “All contestants are advised to rein on their supporters/followers to avoid thuggery and other acts of violence capable of hindering the smooth conduct of the elections. “
“Furthermore, trouble makers in whatever form or guise are warned to stay away from the polling units, collation centers, INEC offices and other places of public interest.
“in view of the forthcoming local government elections scheduled to take place on Saturday 28th November, 2020 by the Borno state Independent Electoral Commission (BOSIEC), the Borno state commissioner of Police, CP Bello Makwashi, wishes to assure members of the public of the preparedness of the command and other security Agencies to provide adequate security and voting environment devoid of intimidation and violence for all law abiding citizen’s. The police also used the opportunity to call on the political actors, candidates, party leaders and faithful’s to play the game by the rules, stressing that the command is poised to provide level playing ground for all contestants irrespective of party affiliations”.
The statement further said ” the police and other security forces will decisively deal with deviants and other persons caught fomenting trouble or breaking the electoral and other laws of the land”.
It also stated that the command calls on all eligible voters with valid PVC to come out en-mass to exercise their franchise without fear or apprehension and also conduct themselves in an orderly manner throughout the period of the exercise.
The statement also appealed for the cooperation and support of all stakeholders. The command assured of a free, fair, credible and violence-free local government elections across the state.
November 28, 2020
Jonathan has been working for Buhari’s Government, APC Tells PDP
The All Progressive Congress (APC) on Friday said former President Goodluck Jonathan has supported the current administration despite being a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
APC Spokesman, Yekini Nabena, made the comment while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Also appearing on the show was PDP spokesman, Mr Diran Odeyemi who said a number of APC governors are set to defect to the PDP.
“Goodluck Jonathan has been working for this government,” Mr Nabena said. “He has been going to all African countries. If he is not a progressive person, he won’t have been working for this government. So the PDP should also know that.”
Jonathan lost to Buhari in the 2015 general elections, but he has since taken up several diplomatic assignments across the continent.
Recently, the ex-President led talks that helped to de-escalate the crisis in Mali.
Mr Nabena, on Friday, argued that Jonathan’s work is evidence of the APC’s progressive streak.
However, Mr Odeyemi disagreed, reiterating that the APC is set to witness a couple of top defections to the PDP.
“Many APC Governors are talking to us,” Mr Odeyemi said. “Perhaps Nigerians have not seen the end of these activities. More Governors from APC are coming to join us. And I’m saying it with all emphasis.
“The question we have to ask ourselves is, what has been the achievements of APC now, that will now warrant people to join them, if not for selfish reasons? Nigeria knows which party to vote for in 2023 and that’s what we rely on.”
November 28, 2020
BREAKING: Court orders release of Sen. Ndume from Kuje prison
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Senator Ali Ndume, who was ordered on Monday to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja for failing to produce former Chairman, defunct Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrashed Maina, for who he stood surety.
Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, was remanded in the prison custody after the court found that Maina has jumped bail.
In a ruling on Monday Justice Okon Abang granted the application for bail pending appeal, filed by Maina.
Justice Abang said he was exercising the court’s discretionary power in favour of Ndume based on his good conduct in the course of the trial of Maina, who is being prosecuted for allegedly laundering about N2billion.
Details shortly…
November 27, 2020
APC inherited empty treasury, bad governance from PDP-Senate President
Tom Okpe, Abuja

Senator Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate has said his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC inherited empty treasury and bad governance from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which governed the country for 16 years.

speaking at the National Secretariat of the party while he presented defectors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Senator representing Adamawa North at the upper chamber of the national assembly, Elisha Abbo and his supporters to the APC, Lawan described as patriotism for some leaders of PDP to join the APC saying; “Abbo has done the right thing, joining the ruling party.”

He said: “We came in 2015, we inherited everything including poor governance but President Muhammadu Buhari came in with determination and focus to ensure that this country works for citizens with government resources prudently and economically utilized and applied for the people.

“Though we inherited an empty treasury, the price of crude went down so badly, yet the little resources we started with provided lots of infrastructure and services to this country. So, to many right-thinking politicians, when you see prudence, sincerity, purposefulness in leadership the best thing to do is not to be left behind but to join forces for the benefits of the people you represent.

“This is what we expect from leaders. When you see a government trying very hard with so little to ensure development in our country, in our communities and societies, the best you can do is to be part of that effort. And that is patriotism. The people should always be at the center and focus of what we do.”

While addressing journalists, the Adamawa North Senator said he joined APC to provide quality services to his people having realized that the party was pro-people.

“In the first place, the reason why everybody should join politics is to serve the people. The essence of government is to shield the poor masses and ensure justice. My main mission of joining the APC is because I have seen justice, I have seen development and have seen desire for the leadership at the highest peak to sacrifice their personal comfort just to make the poor people feel good. So I am in the APC to deliver, I am into the APC to help the people,” Abbo said.
The Chairman, APC Caretaker and Convention Committee Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni received the defectors.
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November 27, 2020
JUST IN: FG dialogues with Niger, US in search for Maina
The Federal Government has reached out to Niger Republic and the United States of America in its efforts to execute the arrest warrant issued by a court in Abuja against an ex-Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, believed to have jumped bail.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed this in the counter-affidavit it filed against the bail application filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.
The court, before which Maina is being tried for money laundering had, on November 18 this year revoked the bail granted him and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
“The prosecution has obtained the bench warrant and it is making frantic efforts to execute it while enlisting the support of other security agencies in the country as well as some foreign governments, particularly the Republic of Niger and the United States of America,” the EFCC said in the counter-affidavit.
The commission urged the court to reject the bail application but Ndume, arguing that it was a ploy for him to evade the consequences of serving as a surety for a fleeing defendant and avoid meeting the condition set by the court for his release.
The court, on November 23 ordered that Ndume, who stood surety for Maina, be remanded in prison pending when he is either able to produce the defendant or forfeit the N500million bail bond he signed, having failed to account for Maina’s whereabouts.
Arguing the counter affidavit on Thursday, shortly after Ndume’s lawyer, Marcel Oru moved the bail application, the prosecuting lawyer; Mohammed Abubakar argued that since Ndume has appealed the order for his remand, he should await the decision of the Court of Appeal.
Abubakar argued that should the court grant Ndume bail, saying “it would have sat as an appeal on its decision, leaving nothing for the Court of Appeal to decide in the appeal filed by Ndume.”
The prosecuting lawyer who argued that the court has jurisdiction to entertain the bail application since the appeal has not been entered, faulted Oru’s contention that sending his client to prison amounted to double jeopardy when he should have only forfeited the bail bond.
Abubakar added the remand order was not indefinite, but pending when meets any of the three conditions set by the court.
“What was forfeited by the applicant before this court is the bail bond of N500m and not the property in Asokoro. The property in Asokoro is the security for the bond and the forfeiture of the bond cannot by itself actualise itself.
“And that was why the court ordered that the applicant should pay the bail of N500m in satisfaction of the fulfilment or we sell the property and recover the bail sum.
“So, it is our submission that our selling of the property is dependable on the inability or failure of the applicant to pay the sum of N500m. And, until he informs us of his inability, we cannot go ahead and sell the property. This is to forestall double payment,” Abubakar said.
Oru had, while arguing earlier, said his bail application was intended to have his client released from custody pending the determination of his appeal, which he said, could take a while.
He argued that the court has the power to grant his client’s application, noting that it was not intended to make it sit on appeal over its earlier decision.
Oru pleaded with the court to show sympathy for his client, he noted, has spent four days in custody over the “despicable conduct of Maina.”
The lawyer noted that with the fate that has befallen his client, “only God knows from the lesson learned, whether a Nigerian with a good heart will ever stand surety for anyone anymore. ”
Oru urged the court to consider his client’s application within the peculiar circumstances in which Ndume was sent to prison and exercise its discretion in his favour and grant him bail.
The lawyer noted that Ndume had kept faith with the condition of the bail granted Maina by dutifully attending court and signing the court’s register as required, despite his busy schedule as a serving Senator.
Oru urged the court to consider the fact that Ndume is a serving member of the Senate and Chairman of Senate Committee on Army, over-sighting the activities of the Nigerian Army that is fighting terrorism and internal security challenges in 33 states of the federation.
He added that Ndume is equally a member of three other critical committees of the Senate, on Health, Establishment and Public service and Special Duties.
He said his client raised serious issues of law in the appeal he filed, adding one of the issues was his contention that the only order the trial court ought to make was “to order the forfeiture of landed property as deposed to in the applicant affidavit in respect of the property whose title deed is in custody of the court”
Oru argued that Ndume was sent to prison without trial as he ought to have been given opportunities to call witnesses, give evidences and, if found guilty, allow to make a plea of allocutus (mercy).
Ndume was not in court on Thursday.
Justice Okon Abang, after listening to arguments by the lawyers, adjourned till Friday for ruling.
November 26, 2020
Why I dumped PDP for APC – Senator Abbo
The latest entrant to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Elijah Clifford Abbo on Thursday said he left the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) because he has found justice, development and purposeful leadership in the ruling party.
He made this disclosure shortly after he was presented with the party flag by the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Governor Mai Mala Buni at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
Abbo who on Wednesday announced his defection on the floor of the Senate was presented to the Chairman of the party’s caretaker committee by the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan at the brief ceremony said he dumped the PDP because of injustice in his former party.
“In the first place, reason why everybody should join politics is to serve the people. The essence of government is to shield the poor masses and ensure justice.
“My main mission of joining the APC is because I have seen justice, I have seen development and I have seen desire for the leadership at the highest peak to sacrifice their personal comfort just to make the poor people to feel good. So I am in the APC to deliver, I am into the APC to help the people.”
Abbo, who was accompanied by some chieftains of the PDP from Adamawa State who also defected to the ruling party, assured the leadership of his new party that he was ready to work for the success of APC in Adamawa State come 2023.
“I want to also commend some PDP members that moved with me from darkness to light. Adamawa has always been APC State. We are the one that made it to tilt to the other side, please forgive us. We are now born again. We knew what we did and we will undo what we did come 2023. We shall not disappoint you Sir,” Abbo assured the party leaders.
President Ahmed Lawan, who was full of praises for the new entrant said, “We want to commend out brother, Senator Abbo for taking the right decision at the right time. Nigerians need every hand on deck. This ship is going to reach the final destination by the grace of God.
“We will continue to be committed to making Nigeria better irrespective of the resources available to us. We had our good days in revenue, but those days were bad days in performance. Now it is reverse, our revenue are so low, in fact it has not been this bad and yet infrastructural development in Nigeria is unprecedented. With so little, the whole country is now infrastructure sites from the East to the west, from the North to the South.”
The Senate President then commends the Caretaker Committee for re-positioning the party as a true national political party.
“I want to commend you Mr. Chairman for sincerely steering the ship of our party since you were given that responsibility by the NEC of our party. I want to commend you and the committee for doing excellently well for reconciling most of our chapters and for bringing some of our people who had left the party for one grievance or another.”
November 26, 2020
2023: Igbos must dialogue with Northern leaders to achieve Presidency — Ekweremadu gives reasons
A former Deputy President of the Senate, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, has weighed in on calls for ceding the presidential tickets of the major political parties to the South East, saying while it is possible to have a president of Igbo extraction in 2023, the zone must engage the northern part of the country in dialogue.
He also advised the Nigerian federal government on the need to devolve power to the states.
He noted that with the increasing wave of insecurity and the serious economic challenges, it had become expedient to do so.
Ekweremadu, who still represents Enugu West Senatorial District, gave the advice on Wednesday in Abuja at a book presentation titled: ‘Pitch: Debunking Marketing’s Strongest Myths’, authored by brand strategist, Ikem Okuhu.
“There is a clamour for Igbo presidency today. And I believe it can only be realised if we engage ourselves in conversation with northern Nigeria to buy into our initiative,” Vanguard newspaper quoted him to have said.
The senator criticised the Nigerian federal government over the current economic downturn and increasing cases of banditry as well as kidnapping, accusing it of vehemently acting tone-deaf to the numerous well-thought-out solutions being proffered by patriotic Nigerians.
He lamented that democracy, which was supposed to be a people-centred model of government, had been so bastardised by some politicians who tend to distance themselves from the people once they are elected into offices.
The report by Vanguard quoted him saying, “Today, Nigeria is in the full grip of widespread insecurity- insurgency, banditry, abductions, armed robbery, and all manner of violent crimes. Nigerians have been offering solutions towards taming the rising wave of criminality.
“These include calls for decentralised policing, which I am a proponent of and also have a bill to that effect currently before the Senate.
“Unfortunately, it appears the government is bent on doing the same thing over and over but ironically hoping to get a different result.
“In the same manner, many Nigerians, including yours sincerely, have been shouting it on the rooftops long before the current economic downturn occasioned by drastic and protracted decline in oil revenues, that the days of high oil revenues were numbered.
“The West and other developed nations are setting targets to move away from oil. Yet we are not even close to activating other abundant sources of income because our federalism is wired for wealth sharing rather than wealth creation.
“Even in the 7th National Assembly, when we listened to the yearnings of Nigerians to amend the constitution to devolve aviation, power, railway, etc. from the exclusive list to the concurrent list, it was never assented by the Presidency.
“Now that the chicken has come home to roost let us hope that the Federal Government will listen to the voices of reason, devolve powers, and not continue with the micromanagement of the nation’s resources.”
On building national cohesion, Ekweremadu said, “Nigeria is now divided as never before. The chasms are increasing by the day. Elder statesmen and women, writers, and other well-meaning Nigerians have continued to raise the alarm that the nation is drifting apart.
“They have equally continued to proffer suggestions on how we can engender national cohesion, justice, and equity. We will continue to pray that the government heeds their patriotic calls and suggestions.”
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November 26, 2020
End SARS: ‘Lai Mohammed misinformed information minister’ – DJ Switch
Nigerian Dj, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch has described the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed as a ‘misinformed minister of information.’
DAILY POST had reported that the Federal Government threatened to sanction a foreign media outlet, CNN, over its report on the alleged shooting of End SARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll plaza on October 20, 2020.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who made this known at a press conference in Abuja, described the report by the foreign news medium as “irresponsible journalism”.
The minister also threatened to reveal the real intention of Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch over her footage of Lekki toll gate shooting.
According to him, “DJ Switch is a fraudster whose intention is to tarnish the image of Nigeria with false news.”
Following the development, Mohhamed petitioned CNN demanding “immediate and exhaustive investigation into its report on the Lekki Toll Gate incident to determine its authenticity and conformity to basic standards of journalism.”
He also accused the news outlet of not making an attempt to reach the federal government, adding that it exhibited false Journalism.
Reacting, Switch in a post via her Twitter account on Tuesday slammed the minister.
According to her, the only truth about him is his name, Lai.
She also stated that it’s not been easy for her ever since she live streamed the the massacre at Lekki toll gate, adding that she would rather speak up than remain silent.
“How can a minister of information be so misinformed.
“The only believable thing about him, is his name Lai.
“Unfortunately sir, the truth is a very stubborn thing!
“Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. Its hasn’t been easy for me but the need to speak up is more important than their bullying,” she said.
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November 25, 2020
2023 Presidential Election: Why Pressure is on Jonathan
- As APC governors root for former president Goodluck Jonathan to take over from Buhari in 2023
- Jonathan top on President Buhari’s list of possible successors
- “Supporting Jonathan quickest route to South-East presidency”—NEF
- APC Govs’ visit to Jonathan an endorsement of PDP—Ologbondiyan
Former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan may emerge the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC in the 2023 presidential election if all the permutation and horse trading currently going on with the APC is anything to go by.
A clear indication in this direction is the out pour of goodwill that greeted the 63 birthday celebration of the former president last week in Abuja. The event was practical hijacked by governors of the ruling all progressives Congress APC who thronged his Maitama resident in Abuja while PDP governors and stalwarts were visibly absent.
Inside sources who spoke to Daybreak on condition on anonymity, revealed that the support for the emergence of the former president to fly the flag of the APC in the 2023 presidential election may well be a fait accompli.
“the governors didn’t just go to his residence to celebrate the birthday of Goodluck Jonathan, it was a political gathering an endorsement, since the former president left office he has celebrated several birthdays what you should ask yourself is why this is different judging by the caliber of people who were there. Pay careful attention a lot would be revealed in the coming days”. The source said.
He also revealed that the APC governors held a private meeting with the ex-President, evidently to pass a message of the grand plan to present him as the APC presidential candidate in 2023. “The plan has been tabled before him and from what I have seen so far Jonathan is disposed to it. Also take note that not a single member of the Peoples Democratic Party was present at that gathering. that should send a loud message to political observers, that the APC is not joking about presenting the former president as their presidential candidate in 2023” the source reiterated.
He also underscored the importance of the meeting stating that the acting national chairman of the party, Mai Mala Buni, governor of Yobe state led the APC governors to Jonathan’s residence. “It was a high wired political maneuvering sanctioned at the highest levels of the party hence the presence of the acting national chairman of the party”. He said.
An APC governor from a North-west state who spoke to our correspondent on the development said the north was disposed to present Jonathan in 2023 because he is trusted by the northern political establishment and represents the easiest way for power to return to the north, since the constitution only permits the former president to do only one tenure “politicians are aligning and realigning towards 2023, things are taking shape and permutation and calculations are ongoing, for the north Jonathan is the sure bet and the easiest route for power to return back to the north in four years”.
“Supporting Jonathan quickest route to South-East presidency”—NEF
Also, speaking on the development first republic politician and former special adviser to late President Shehu Shagari on National Assembly matters, elder Yanko Yakasai expressed his support for Jonathan to take over from Buhari in 2023.
According to him former President, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo did two terms which has effectively blocked the chances of the Southwest. Elder Yakasai who is also the chairman Northern Elders Council (NEC) believes under the circumstances Jonathan is entitling to second term.
“The people in the South-South are entitle to do two terms because Obasanjo did two terms. Southeast and Southwest are in different zone. Supporting Jonathan quickest route to South-East presidency.
“I made a statement, that the quickest way for Southeast to get to power is to support Jonathan to become the President. In which case two zones, Southwest and South-South would have completed their two tenure. But Jonathan contested and did not win in 2015, the south –south should be allowed to complete its second tenure”. He said.
Daybreak investigations further revealed that the Ebonyi state governor David Umahi who few days ago announced his defection from the PDP was present at the gathering, other prominent attendees were, Abubakar Badaru, governor of Jigawa state, Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi and chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and other party chieftains including Ken Nnamani, a former Senate president.
The source who spoke to Daybreak further revealed that the defection of governor Umahi to the APC was only preparatory to the defection of Goodluck Jonathan noting that the former governor was on his way out of the PDP to APC.
“If all goes as planned Goodluck Jonathan will join the APC and may be contesting the 2023 Presidential Election on the APC platform” he also revealed that two incumbent governors from the North have equally been shortlisted to be considered as his possible Vice Presidential candidate.
“Jonathan is top on President Buhari’s list of possible successors. The Senate President will be zoned to the Southwest and the House of Reps Speaker to the North Central, these are the permutations”.
“The arrangement is to allow the South to complete its tenure which was truncated by the election of Buhari so that power can return back to the north”
While the PDP governors failed to send any message to the former president on his birthday the Northern Governors’ Forum led by the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong had sent warm felicitations to Jonathan on his birthday.
In the statement, Simon Lalong said the former president has continued to serve the country with zeal and commitment. Lalong described the former president as a true democrat whose “passion for the growth of democracy is reflected not only in his records while in office but also of his current engagements where he has travelled round the world to monitor elections and also engage with stakeholders”.
He also commended Jonathan for patriotism and dedication to the unity, peace and development of Nigeria as well as offering counsel on national issues. He enjoined him to continue to work to promote the interest of the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari had also felicitated with Jonathan, saying he has brought honour to Nigeria. His congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled ‘President Buhari greets former President Goodluck Jonathan on 63rd birthday’.
The statement read, “Onn behalf of the Federal Government and Nigerians in general, President Muhammadu Buhari warmly felicitates with former President Goodluck “Jonathan on his 63rd birthday, November 20, 2020, congratulating him for a life of service that has brought honour and goodwill to the country.
“The President notes, with appreciation, the peculiar and remarkable climb of the former president on Nigeria’s political ladder, and dedication that has kept him working most recently as ECOWAS envoy to bring peace to the Republic of Mali.
APC Govs’ visit to Jonathan an endorsement of PDP—Ologbondiyan
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its reaction said that the visit of governors of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to former president Goodluck Jonathan was an endorsement of the PDP and an apology by the opposition party over the lies it told to grab power.
In a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary, in Abuja weekend, the party posited that the visit has further affirmed that “Nigeria, as a nation, is better under the governance of the PDP.”
The PDP stated: “The visit, which is a clear endorsement of the acceptability of the PDP administration, also indicates that the APC, in 2015, only created artificial symbols of misgovernance, corruption and other alleged misgivings just to discredit our party and grab the levers of power to achieve their selfish desires.
“It is evident that the Jonathan administration succeeded in office basically because our party understands the nuances of our nation, which we translated into people-oriented polices and programmes, in line with the manifesto of our party, to make life comfortable for Nigerians.
“This visit to Jonathan by the APC governors is a direct acceptance of the successes recorded by our party in building a strong nation with a virile economy that was rated as one of the fastest growing economies of the world.
“The visit is therefore a subtle step by APC governors into the corridors of the PDP in agreement that our party holds the solution to the myriads of problems brought to our nation by their APC and President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The PDP therefore receives the visit by APC governors as an apology by the APC to our party and Nigerians over the lies, beguilements and other irresponsible allegations deployed by the APC to grab power, only to lead our nation on a journey to nowhere.”
“For us in the PDP, the unity, stability, progress and development of our dear nation remain paramount and as such, we will not allow the failed APC and its pranksters, who have betrayed the trust of Nigerians, to mislead them once again,” the statement added.
END
November 23, 2020
“Jonathan will be North’s candidate in 2023” NEF
“Supporting Jonathan quickest route to South-East presidency”—Tanko Yakasai
Also, speaking on the development first republic politician and former special adviser to late President Shehu Shagari on National Assembly matters, elder Yanko Yakasai expressed his support for Jonathan to take over from Buhari in 2023.
According to him former President, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo did two terms which has effectively blocked the chances of the Southwest. Elder Yakasai who is also the chairman Northern Elders Council (NEC) believes under the circumstances Jonathan is entitling to second term.
“The people in the South-South are entitle to do two terms because Obasanjo did two terms. Southeast and Southwest are in different zone. Supporting Jonathan quickest route to South-East presidency.
“I made a statement, that the quickest way for Southeast to get to power is to support Jonathan to become the President. In which case two zones, Southwest and South-South would have completed their two tenure. But Jonathan contested and did not win in 2015, the south –south should be allowed to complete its second tenure”. He said.
Daybreak investigations further revealed that the Ebonyi state governor David Umahi who few days ago announced his defection from the PDP was present at the gathering, other prominent attendees were, Abubakar Badaru, governor of Jigawa state, Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi and chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and other party chieftains including Ken Nnamani, a former Senate president.
The source who spoke to Daybreak further revealed that the defection of governor Umahi to the APC was only preparatory to the defection of Goodluck Jonathan noting that the former governor was on his way out of the PDP to APC.
“If all goes as planned Goodluck Jonathan will join the APC and may be contesting the 2023 Presidential Election on the APC platform” he also revealed that two incumbent governors from the North have equally been shortlisted to be considered as his possible Vice Presidential candidate.
“Jonathan is top on President Buhari’s list of possible successors. The Senate President will be zoned to the Southwest and the House of Reps Speaker to the North Central, these are the permutations”.
“The arrangement is to allow the South to complete its tenure which was truncated by the election of Buhari so that power can return back to the north”
While the PDP governors failed to send any message to the former president on his birthday the Northern Governors’ Forum led by the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong had sent warm felicitations to Jonathan on his birthday.
In the statement, Simon Lalong said the former president has continued to serve the country with zeal and commitment. Lalong described the former president as a true democrat whose “passion for the growth of democracy is reflected not only in his records while in office but also of his current engagements where he has travelled round the world to monitor elections and also engage with stakeholders”.
He also commended Jonathan for patriotism and dedication to the unity, peace and development of Nigeria as well as offering counsel on national issues. He enjoined him to continue to work to promote the interest of the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari had also felicitated with Jonathan, saying he has brought honour to Nigeria. His congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled ‘President Buhari greets former President Goodluck Jonathan on 63rd birthday’.
The statement read, “Onn behalf of the Federal Government and Nigerians in general, President Muhammadu Buhari warmly felicitates with former President Goodluck “Jonathan on his 63rd birthday, November 20, 2020, congratulating him for a life of service that has brought honour and goodwill to the country.
“The President notes, with appreciation, the peculiar and remarkable climb of the former president on Nigeria’s political ladder, and dedication that has kept him working most recently as ECOWAS envoy to bring peace to the Republic of Mali.
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November 23, 2020