“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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